ECO-Brand ... Positive Fashion Brand: Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement (as part of PoM's policies)

Introduction

PoM - Peace of Mind™ ... Happy Life! is a young, dynamic company dedicated to creating sustainable and ethically produced fashion. - Founded in March 2024, we are committed to promoting both ecological sustainability and human rights in every aspect of our business.

Modern Slavery is on the rise ...

As we embark on this journey, we recognize the importance of taking a strong stance against modern slavery and human trafficking as estimated 50 million people are trapped in forced labor worldwide (see numbers in footnote A), with 10 million more people in 2021 and a significant increase in last years.

Photo Credit: https://labs.theguardian.com/unicef-child-labour/
Photo Credit: The Guardian - Unicef: Child Labour

Our Commitment

We are determined to ensure that our supply chains are free from modern slavery and human trafficking. This statement marks the beginning of our comprehensive plan to implement robust practices and policies that will help us achieve this goal.

Over the next 1.5 years, we will focus on auditing, due diligence, and the ethical evaluation of all our partners.

Policies and Practices

  1. Ethical Sourcing and Supplier Code of Conduct:

    • We have established a stringent Supplier Code of Conduct that mandates compliance with all applicable laws, including those related to labor rights and human trafficking.
    • Our suppliers are required to certify that materials incorporated into our products comply with the laws regarding slavery and human trafficking of the country or countries in which they do business.

  2. Due Diligence and Risk Assessment:

    • We will conduct thorough risk assessments to identify and address potential areas of vulnerability in our supply chains.
    • Our due diligence processes will include audits, site visits, and continuous monitoring of our suppliers to ensure adherence to our ethical standards.

  3. Training and Awareness:

    • We will provide comprehensive training for our employees and suppliers to increase awareness of modern slavery and human trafficking issues.
    • Training will cover recognizing signs of modern slavery and understanding the actions required to combat it.

  4. Ecological and Social Responsibility:

    • Our commitment to sustainability and ethical practices is detailed in our ecological guidelines, which can be found here.
    • We strive to ensure that our ecological initiatives align with our human rights goals, promoting both environmental stewardship and social justice.

Legal Framework

Our actions are guided by several key regulations - international and national -  including but not limited to:

  • The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (also known as UN Charta of Human Rights or UDHR) sets out fundamental human rights to be universally protected.

    Video: What is the Declaration of Human Rights? | 75 Years | United Nations | Narrated by Hollywood actor Morgan Freeman
    Relevant UDHR articles include:

    • Article 4: Prohibition of slavery and servitude.
    • Article 23: Right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work, and to protection against unemployment.
    • Article 24: Right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.
Eleanor Roosevelt holding the English language version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in November 1949
Eleanor Roosevelt holding the English language version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in November 1949 (Source Wikipedia)

Implementation Timeline

To mark our commitment, we will align our efforts with the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery on December 2, 2025. - By this date, we aim to have completed the following:

  • Full auditing and due diligence of all partners.
  • Comprehensive training for all employees and suppliers.
  • Implementation of a robust monitoring and reporting system.

Annual Activities

On December 2, 2024, the coming International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, we will launch several initiatives to promote our commitment and raise awareness:

  1. Awareness Campaign: Educate our customers and partners about modern slavery and our efforts to combat it.
  2. Transparency Report: Publish an initial report detailing our progress in auditing and due diligence activities.
  3. Engagement Activities: Host webinars and social media events to engage with our community on the importance of ethical practices in fashion.
  4. Partnerships: Collaborate with NGOs and other organizations to support initiatives aimed at eradicating modern slavery.

Founder's Commitment

Our founder's vision emphasizes the importance of ethical practices and social responsibility. As stated in our founder’s keynote, we believe that every individual and organization, down to the smallest family unit, must uphold the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. - This commitment is integral to our identity as an eco-brand and guides our actions in promoting a fair and just society.

Reporting and Accountability

We encourage transparency and accountability in our fight against modern slavery. Any concerns or instances of non-compliance can be reported through our confidential reporting mechanism. We are committed to investigating all reports and taking appropriate action to rectify any issues.

For more information on our policies and our ongoing efforts to combat modern slavery and human trafficking, please visit our policies page.

By adhering to these principles, PoM - Peace of Mind™ ... Happy Life! reaffirms our dedication to ethical business practices and our unwavering commitment to protecting human rights.

We invite our partners, customers, and stakeholders to join us in this important mission.

Footnotes ...

(A) Facts About Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking in the Fashion Industry

(B) Background Information on the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery

Origins and Significance

The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery is observed annually on December 2nd. This day was established by the United Nations General Assembly to commemorate the adoption of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others on December 2, 1949.

Portuguese cartoonist Vasco Gargalo ... winner of the 2021 international competition ... 1st winner of the ILO international cartoon competition on forced labour (Source: Cartooning for Peace - https://www.cartooningforpeace.org )

Portuguese cartoonist Vasco Gargalo ... winner of the 2021 international competition ... 1st winner of the ILO international cartoon competition on forced labour (Source: Cartooning for Peace - https://www.cartooningforpeace.org )

The day aims to raise awareness about the modern forms of slavery that persist in today’s world, including human trafficking, sexual exploitation, child labor, forced marriage, and forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflicts.

History

  • 1949: The United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others was adopted, laying the groundwork for the observance of this day.
  • 1986: The International Day for the Abolition of Slavery was first observed by the United Nations to highlight the ongoing struggles against modern slavery and human trafficking.
  • 2000: The Palermo Protocol, or the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, was adopted by the United Nations, further bolstering international efforts to combat human trafficking.

Annual Activities

Each year, various activities and events are organized globally to mark the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery. These activities include:

  • Public Awareness Campaigns: Governments, NGOs, and international organizations launch campaigns to educate the public about the realities of modern slavery and how to combat it.
  • Conferences and Seminars: Experts, activists, and policymakers gather to discuss strategies and share knowledge on preventing and addressing slavery.
  • Media Coverage: Documentaries, news stories, and social media campaigns highlight stories of survivors and the work being done to combat modern slavery.
  • Fundraising and Support Events: Charities and organizations dedicated to fighting human trafficking and supporting survivors hold events to raise funds and awareness.
  • Educational Programs: Schools and universities host discussions, workshops, and lectures to educate students about modern slavery.