Barcelona Field Studies Centre

Modern Slavery Act Statement

Barcelona Field Studies Centre (BFSC) Modern Slavery Statement 2024 (the 'MSA Act')

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending 31 December 2024.

At BFSC, we act ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships, including our commitment to combating human trafficking and slavery. We are committed to continually improving our practices to combat slavery and human trafficking and to encourage the same high standards from our service providers.

The information below demonstrates our responsibilities to our employees, customers and suppliers in working to achieve this.

1. Our Policies:

The following policies are in place and form a part of our approach to the identification of modern slavery risks and describe the steps we will take to prevent slavery and human trafficking:

  • Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy

    • We specify our expectations for all suppliers including specific prohibitions against the use of forced, compulsory or trafficked labour, or anyone held in slavery or servitude.

  • Purchasing Policy

    • Our purchasing policy avoids all high risk suppliers. Where risks are considered high, suppliers are required to use an Auditing process as part of working towards adherence to the MSA Act.

  • Anti-Bribery and Whistleblowing policy

    • We actively encourage all workers and customers to report any concerns related to the direct activities or supply chains of BFSC. This includes any circumstances that may give rise to an enhanced risk of slavery or human trafficking. Our whistleblowing procedure is designed to make it easy for workers to make disclosures, without fear of retaliation.

  • Agency Staff Policy

    • We do not use agency staff.

  • Training and Awareness

    • Staff who have the responsibility for selecting, contracting or monitoring the performance of a supplier are aware of their responsibilities.

2. Action Already Taken:

In addition to the policies above, BFSC has taken a number of steps following the introduction of the MSA Act:

  • Established a process by which to assess the risk from those who supply accommodation, restaurant or transport services. BFSC has written to all suppliers highlighting our requirements in this matter and requested copies of suppliers' existing MSA policies where they exist.

  • All supplier contracts (goods and services) have been updated to include reference to the preventing of slavery and human trafficking.

  • Ensured all potential new suppliers of services are now subject to the same due diligence when assessing their suitability.