Modern Slavery Statement

MODESTWIST TRADE POLICY

www.modestwist.com is a site operated by Modestwist Retail Ltd. We are registered in England and Wales under company number 14603829 and with our registered office at 20-22 Wenlock Road, London, England, N1 7GU. Throughout the ethical policy agreement, the terms “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Modestwist Retail Ltd. Modestwist is committed to trading relationships which are both commercially and ethically viable. We have a strict policy of supporting fair trade and only operate and work with suppliers, manufacturers and contractors who comply with our supply chain management and ethical trade policies. We appraise all suppliers against the following standards below that align with the international ETI base codes and conduct.

 

This policy sets out the minimum labour standards that we expect our suppliers and textile manufacturers to comply with:

 

  • Ethical Practices & Audits
  • There is no forced labour
  • Child labour is forbidden
  • No racial or sexual discrimination is practised
  • Safe hygienic working environments across all tiers
  • Healthcare training with proof of certifications
  • Working hours comply with local standards
  • Wages meet the minimum local standards
  • Human and civil rights are respected and adhered
  • Bribery either to customers or from suppliers is not acceptable
  • Textile pledges and memberships
  • Chemical Compliance and Testing
  • Sustainability initiatives

 

 

Ethical Practices and Audits

Modestwist work with family-run manufacturers committed to ethical practices, environmental production standards, safe working conditions and fair wages. Modestwist also screens all suppliers and factories by conducting regular on-site risk assessments and inspections. We visit each production hub to conduct thorough audits and pre-assessments before working with any supplier. All suppliers must pass our code of conduct by implementing a straightforward system that allows us to track, trace and engage supply chain management processes before making any trade or commercial agreement. More than 98% of our products are manufactured in Turkey. We have an on-the-ground team based in Istanbul who visit our suppliers and communicate with them frequently, staying up to date with the latest trade and human rights policies, cross-border e-commerce legislations and textile industry reports that help improve our transparency and trade.

 

Forced or involuntary labour

Modestwist is committed to promoting human rights and condemns any form of modern-day slavery, human trafficking, and the exploitation of refugees. Any work or service that is extracted from any person under the threat of a penalty or where they have not entered voluntarily into an employment contract. Examples include slave or indentured labour, bonded labour, involuntary labour, and involuntary or unpaid labour prison labour. Workers are not required to lodge identity papers such as passports, birth certificates, or residency permits and are free to leave any employer with a reasonable notice period.

 

Child Labour

Modestwist condemns any form of Child labour and is prohibited within any stage of our supply chain. This includes manufacturing, production, and sourcing of materials and textile goods. The term “child” refers to any person under the age of completing compulsory education or under the minimum age for employment in our supplier’s country, age 16. The use of legitimate workplace apprenticeship programs, which comply with all laws and regulations, is supported such as “work experience that is part of an educational programme or institution’, that has been approved by an educational body backed by government officials for those aged 16 and over. However, workers under the age of 18 shall not perform work that is likely to jeopardise their health or safety such as exposure to harsh chemicals, or the use of heavy factory machinery.

 

Discrimination

Our company’s ethos is founded upon diversity and inclusion. Modestwist has a strict no-discrimination policy embedded throughout our business operations. We expect the same values and principles from our suppliers and manufacturers to be adhered to. Modestwist is committed to a workforce free of harassment and unlawful discrimination. We do not engage in discrimination based on race, colour, age, gender, hair texture, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, pregnancy, religion, political affiliation, union membership or marital status in hiring and in employment. In addition, workers or potential workers should not be subjected to medical tests that could be used in a discriminatory way. Modestwist retail ltd represents equality and believes in treating everyone fairly; this is promoted throughout our supply chain and business model and website.

 

Safe Working Environment

Our suppliers must provide safe and hygienic working environments for all employees, with regular factory inspections and audits undertaken to eliminate and reduce the risk of serious harm to employees. Proof of first aid training and certifications must be shown by any tier 1,2 and 3 suppliers to ensure the safety of its workforce. Regular fire alarm testing, fire exit training and staff e-learning on health and safety must be adopted and set in place. Proof of completion must be stored via paper form or online portal for reference. Staff should be able to easily identify the fire exits of their work environments and have free access to first aid and expert training in using machinery. Staff should not be exposed to harsh chemicals and if working in textile testing labs, suitable attire must be given. The use of modern bathrooms, clean water, sanitary bins for female employees and staff rooms separate from workstations must be implemented and shown during factory visits. Any incidents must be recorded and investigated to help improve companies’ safety. Modestwist has the right to ask suppliers for proof of first aid certificate and appointed health and safety manager working on site when attending supplier or showroom visits.

 

 

Working Hours

Working hours must comply with the national laws and benchmark industry standards, whichever affords greater protection. Workers should not be required to work more than 45 hours per week in Turkey factories (in accordance with local/national laws); should not work more than 12 hours of voluntary overtime; and should get either one or two days off in seven. Overtime should not be demanded but offered and should always be compensated at a premium rate or rate agreed upon by the employee. Modestwist employees based in the UK, work between the hours of 9am-6pm.

 

Remuneration

All workers should be provided with a clear written agreement /contract of working hours, salary, holiday entitlement and sick pay. Workers shall comply with all applicable wage laws, including those relating to minimum wages, overtime hours and legally mandated benefits. In compliance with local laws, workers shall be compensated for overtime at pay rates greater than regular hourly rates. Deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure shall not be permitted. If a worker has not been paid 20 days of the due date, according to Turkish law he or she has the right to refrain from performing their duties by the supplier until payment is made in full. Modestwist prides itself on paying all workers cross borders the same national wage as the UK including our fashion-buying and design team in Istanbul.

 

Human and Civil Rights

Modestwist respects and honours human and civil rights. We forbid harsh and inhumane treatment, including sexual harassment, sexual abuse, corporal punishment, human trafficking, modern slavery, mental or physical coercion or verbal abuse of workers. Disciplinary policies and procedures in support of these requirements shall be clearly defined and communicated. Those who exhibit such behaviours or any supplier or manufacturer who condones the above will be dismissed any contracts made will end immediately.

 

Anti-Bribery and Corruption

Modestwist is committed to adhering to the strict principles of the Bribery legislation act both in the UK and abroad. Throughout our supply chain and ethical policy, we ensure these principles are set out and put in place to ensure no corruption or bribery occurs. This includes monetary bribes, improper advantages, gifting, political/charitable donations bribes to organisations. Modestwist does not condone any form of bribery throughout our business model and supply chain.

 

Sustainability

We are committed to improving the world’s carbon footprint by placing sustainability and ethical practices at the forefront of our business. We're starting our long-term commitment into become a more sustainable brand, starting with our packaging. Made from 100% recycled green bio gradable material. We are also working on continuous improvement on sustainability initiatives and awareness and joining a number of pledges in 2024. Modestwist also requests proof of sustainability and textile pledges from our suppliers. We continue to promote and respect human rights ensuring our supply chain management is transparent and complies with relevant sustainability and ethical legislations. Modestwist will be launching a sustainable collection in 2024 to start our journey to becoming a more sustainable and conscious brand.

Chemical Compliance and Transparency

Modestwist strives to create a shopping experience based on trust and transparency ensuring chemical compliance and conducting chemical tests on new collections including more than 60% of stock purchased by our retail partners. By 2024 Modestwist pledges to share chemical test reports and disclose a full list of our OEM suppliers on our website www.modestwist.com. Our RSL Testing is conducted at an Intertek EU-accredited 3rd party laboratory based in Istanbul. With insurance coverage on all wholesale stock supplied to our retailer partners. We keep up to date with the latest textile industry RSL guidelines and lab testing using Intertek.

 

Textile Pledges

Modestwist prides itself on being a transparent fashion brand with integrity and honesty at the forefront of our business. By 2024 we commit ourselves to joining several sustainability and textile pledges. Starting with the apparel and footwear supply chain transparency pledge and ensuring suppliers are aligned with industry pledges as the global organic textile standards and ethical practices standards.