Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement for the Financial Year 2024
Roomex Limited (“Roomex”) understands the importance of conducting our business ethically and we place the same expectations on our supply chain.
This statement is made on behalf of Roomex, pursuant to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (“Act”) and sets out the steps we are taking to eliminate Modern Slavery from within our operations and supply chain.
We seek to reassure our customers, partners, investors and employees that Modern Slavery, including forced labour and human trafficking has not unknowingly found its way into our supply chains. This statement is reviewed and, where necessary, updated prior to each new financial year to evidence Roomex’s continuing commitment to our obligations under the Act.
Our Business
Roomex operates out of its offices based in Dublin and has approximately 110 staff members.
Roomex is part of global financial services company, Corpay which is based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Our Approach to Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
Roomex is committed to adhering to and complying with the Act and does not knowingly employ or condone the use of forced labour, including child labour or bonded labour.
Recruiting of new employees includes identity, right to work and residency status checks to ensure potential employees are identified effectively using official forms of identification.
These background checks form the basis of Roomex being able to make an offer of employment to individuals who are successful during the interview process. Roomex recruits for full-time, part-time, temporary and fixed term positions.
Temporary workers are utilised within the business during periods of increased workload. However, all employees are on boarded into the business using the same defined policy and process as permanent employees and contractors.
Currently, Roomex does not provide standalone Modern Slavery training or related materials to its employees. Notwithstanding, Roomex has adopted a number of supporting policy documents that highlight the company’s approach and expected standards. The current policies include but are not limited to:
- Corpay Responsibility and Sustainability Policy
- Corpay Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
- Corpay UK and Europe Whistleblowing Policy
Compliance training and awareness is achieved through our on-boarding process and refreshed annually using e-learning and internal communications; e-learning courses include an assessment to demonstrate understanding. Training completion rates are monitored and reported to Senior Management throughout the year to ensure this is maintained at appropriate levels.
Through our whistleblowing policy staff have the opportunity to report unethical or illegal behaviours, such as Modern Slavery, through anonymous reporting to the Head of HR, the Head of HR will independently investigate any report submitted.
We have had no concerns raised by our employees regarding Modern Slavery throughout 2023 or to date in 2024.
Roomex’s General Counsel and Compliance Departments both remain aware of updates made to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 guidance and various sources are utilised throughout the year to monitor any changes or updates that may be required in line with the legislation. Sources such as HM Government UK Annual Report on Modern Slavery and National Crime Agency National Strategic Assessment amongst others, are utilised for this purpose. Roomex also evidences adherence to the legislation by uploading its annual Modern Slavery statement to the Government-run online Modern Slavery statement registry;
https://modern-slavery-statement-registry.service.gov.uk/
Due Diligence
The nature of our business, predominantly a Travel Management System, is such that our supply chains are short and assessed as low risk. As a business, we are not directly responsible for the manufacture of goods. Although the fulfilment of travel services is outsourced to globally recognised suppliers they along with our other suppliers have their own policies, procedures and Modern Slavery statements relating to their provision of services.
We continue to carry out due diligence on our supply chain to ensure that our oversight is suitable and sufficient and matches the low level of risks we identified from our formal risk assessment.
Roomex have considered the implications of the current crisis events in Ukraine which has seen a large scale displacement of people from Ukraine across the UK and Europe. In addition to this, there continue to be high numbers of illegal migrants arriving into the UK across the English Channel. Further to this, the current cost of living crisis in the UK is seeing an increase in individuals experiencing financial hardship. These events may see the impacted individuals being at increased risk of exploitation due to their increased vulnerability.
Our existing approach to Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking assists in minimising the risk of these scenarios occurring within the business and our supply chain, but is something Roomex continue to remain mindful of albeit these crises events do not present an immediate or significant risk impact to Roomex Limited.
Risk Management / Risk Assessment
The nature of our business and our supply chain is a relatively simple model, which allows us to assess the risk of potential Modern Slavery offences taking place as low. However, Romex remains committed to ensuring Modern Slavery does not find a way into any existing, or future, supply chain relationships. The Roomex business is supported by its General Counsel who works closely with the Compliance Department to ensure that applicable contracts with customers and suppliers meet its expectations and standards where the potential for Modern Slavery risk is identified.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Roomex does not currently consider its suppliers to be vulnerable to pressures around service level agreements, pricing and cost reduction. However, we remain mindful of how these areas, amongst others, can leave a business vulnerable to the risks of Modern Slavery, and we continue to monitor the impact of service level agreements on our suppliers. Whilst not identifying the need for KPIs to monitor performance we are committed to regularly monitoring and reviewing our supply chain to ensure our assessment remains valid.
Summary
Modern Slavery, human trafficking and forced labour continue to be one of the great human rights issues of our time. With thousands of victims of this crime throughout the UK alone, it is critical that businesses act responsibly and work collaboratively to support the aspiration of eradicating this criminal activity from our society.
Roomex remains committed to ensuring its full compliance with its legal and moral obligations in relation to Modern Slavery and continuously monitors its practices and policies to identify areas of potential improvement or any significant changes in our risk profile.
We formally assess our approach to Modern Slavery Act requirements through an annual risk assessment, carried out by the Head of HR. The assessment concluded the Operations, Services and Products supplied by Roomex have seen no substantive change during 2023 and, as a result, we have seen no change in our Modern Slavery Act risk profile.
16 August 2024