Modern Slavery Statement — Gardeners Islington
This Modern Slavery Statement is issued by Gardeners Islington to set out our commitment to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chains. As Gardeners of Islington we recognise the risk that forced labour, bonded labour and other forms of exploitation can occur in landscaping, horticulture and supply services. This statement explains our policy approach, risk management, and actions taken during the reporting period to ensure ethical working conditions across all activities of Islington Gardeners.
We apply a
zero-tolerance policy
towards any form of modern slavery. Our policy is clear: exploitation is unacceptable and will result in immediate action. All employees, contractors and partners who perform work for Gardeners-Islington must comply with our standards. We have embedded the policy into employment contracts and supplier terms, requiring verification of lawful work status, fair wages and the absence of coercive practices. The policy is communicated through training, site inductions and our procurement documentation.
To operationalise our stance we maintain a programme of supplier due diligence and supplier audits. Our procurement team screens suppliers for risk factors such as recruitment practices, migrant labour usage and subcontracting chains. High-risk suppliers are subject to on-site and remote audits, which include document checks, worker interviews and verification of pay records. Where non-compliance is identified we require corrective action plans, monitor remediation and, where necessary, terminate relationships to protect workers and our standards.
Supplier audits are complemented by contractual clauses that require transparency and cooperation. We employ a tiered audit approach: initial risk assessment, desktop review, and follow-up on-the-ground audits. Audit measures include:
- Verification of payroll and hours worked
- Interviews with a representative sample of workers
- Review of recruitment and subcontracting arrangements
We continuously assess risk across our supply chain and operations. This includes mapping suppliers of plants, soil, tools and seasonal labour. Training for managers and procurement staff supports recognition of red flags, such as withheld documents, excessive recruitment fees, or restricted movement. Our approach encourages early detection and prevention: we prioritise collaborative remediation but retain the right to cease relationships when necessary to protect workers and the reputation of Gardeners Islington Ltd.
Gardeners Islington provides multiple confidential reporting channels for workers or third parties to raise concerns. These channels include an internal hotline, anonymous reporting via secure forms and escalation through human resources and compliance teams. Reports are treated with confidentiality and we guarantee that whistleblowers will not face retaliation. Each report triggers an investigation protocol with timelines for response, provisional protective measures for affected workers and documented outcomes.
Remediation and continuous improvement are central to our anti-slavery programme. Where exploitation is found we take proportionate remedial steps: securing safe working arrangements, ensuring back pay where due, and collaborating with authorities and NGOs where appropriate. We also integrate lessons learned into training, supplier selection and contract clauses to prevent recurrence. The stewardship exercised by the Islington Gardeners leadership ensures accountability for progress and resource allocation to deliver results.
An
annual review
is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of our policies and actions. Each year Gardeners Islington publishes a consolidated review of audit findings, training delivered, incidents and remediation outcomes. Key performance indicators include numbers of supplier audits completed, percentage of suppliers assessed as high risk, and remediation cases closed. The annual cycle ensures our Modern Slavery Statement evolves in response to emerging risks and operational changes.
In conclusion, the team at Gardeners Islington reaffirms its commitment to eradicating modern slavery from our operations and supply chain. We will continue to strengthen supplier audits, maintain our zero-tolerance stance, refine reporting channels and undertake rigorous annual reviews. By remaining vigilant and proactive, Gardeners of Islington aims to protect workers, uphold human rights and maintain high ethical standards across every contract and project.
