Population Services International’s Statement on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

PSI has zero tolerance for modern day slavery and human trafficking. This statement is made pursuant to the UK Modern Slavery Act of 2015 and constitutes our endeavors to ensure that PSI’s operations and supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking. 

 

 

Organizational Structure

PSI is an international non-governmental organization that provides consumer-driven global health services primarily to women, girls, and children in the areas of malaria; HIV/TB; contraceptives and reproductive health; water, sanitation and hygiene; and non-communicable diseases. With more than 4,500 staff worldwide, PSI is based in Washington, DC and operates branch and affiliate offices in over 40 countries around the world. 

Business and Supply Chain

PSI operates through both direct implementation as well as contracting with both local and international non-profits and NGOs, suppliers of health products, host government Ministries of Health, public and private healthcare providers, pharmacies, health promoters and educators, and researchers to provide increased access to affordable healthcare goods and services. In order to meet the objectives under PSI’s awards, PSI works with suppliers and subrecipients across all levels of our activities.  

Due Diligence

As part of PSI’s commitment to identify and mitigate potential risks in suppliers’ and subrecipients’ operations, PSI undertakes a process of due diligence prior to issuance and signing of vendor agreements and sub-agreements with entities proposing to work on behalf of PSI. 

In implementation of PSI’s supply chain and issuance of sub-agreements, PSI follows the regulatory guidelines based on the US Government Trafficking in Persons wording in all commodity and consultant contracts as well as integrating Modern Slavery Act requirements into UK-funded awards. PSI requires its vendors to prohibit activities directly related to modern day slavery and trafficking in persons. Additionally, it requires entities to report any credible violations to PSI and cooperate with any investigations or corrective actions.  

Where PSI believes that a supplier or subrecipient is involved in modern slavery or human trafficking, PSI will take steps to investigate in accordance with policies and take appropriate actions. In 2020, PSI began to integrate safeguarding discussions and policy reviews with sub-recipients before signing new awards to ensure compliance with donor requirements and PSI’s standards. These reviews continued to expand in 2021 and 2022. 

PSI is committed to continue taking actions which affirm its zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery. In an ongoing effort to improve compliance around modern slavery and human trafficking requirements, in 2021 PSI undertook a further desk review of the risks in its supply chain and with its subrecipients and assessed any areas where risk mitigation around modern slavery can be enhanced. 

Our Policies

PSI will not tolerate any forms of abuse or modern-day slavery in its work or supply chains and has incorporated preventive measures into its policies guiding proper behavior and procedures for PSI personnel and into our vendor and sub-agreement templates.

Among these policies are:

  • PSI Employee Code of Conduct;
  • Trafficking in Persons policy;
  • Recruitment and employment policies;
  • Supply chain agreements
  • Implementing Subrecipient/Subcontractor agreements
  • PSI’s Safeguarding Policy, updated and expanded in 2020
  • Procurement due diligence process

All PSI personnel are expected to follow and uphold the policies above as well as the local and international laws that apply to PSI’s work. PSI’s Employee Code of Conduct must be signed by all staff which includes specifics on anti-trafficking in persons, child protection, and preventing sexual exploitation and abuse in all its forms.

Training, Awareness, and Reporting Concerns

All PSI staff are required to complete an annual code of conduct training online which specifically includes a module on recognizing and preventing trafficking in persons. Compliance with this global requirement is tracked by individual and performance is discussed and followed up on directly by PSI’s Senior Management. After piloting an online training program in 2021, PSI has begun to require an annual online training which covers all aspects of safeguarding, to include human trafficking and modern-day slavery for senior country staff in 2022 and will expand to all staff globally for 2023.  

Additionally, the PSI Code of Conduct is signed by all PSI personnel to show that they have read, understood, and will abide by its policies and principles. The code of conduct statement specifically covers trafficking in persons, modern slavery, child welfare, and preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. 
 In order to confidentially or anonymously report any concerns related to modern day slavery, anyone internal or external to the organization is able to use PSI’s EthicsPoint website and phone numbers to bring forth allegations. All allegations are taken seriously and are investigated thoroughly. PSI offices are required to have posters with this contact information hanging in visible locations for all personnel, partners, and visitors to see and access. The EthicsPoint information is also included in PSI’s sub-agreement and vendor agreement templates. In 2022, PSI has begun to identify additional ways to make it easier for beneficiaries and host communities to report concerns and allegations to PSI.  

PSI employees and those outside PSI may also report allegations or concerns about trafficking in persons to the Global Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-844-888-FREE or [email protected].

Review and Approval

PSI is a signatory of the UN Global Compact since November 2017 and reaffirms our commitment to the compact and upholding human rights.

This statement has been reviewed and approved on behalf of the PSI Board of Directors by Carolyn Brehm on October 10, 2022.  

 

OUR COMMITMENTS

The Future of Work

With overarching commitments to flexibility in our work, and greater wellbeing for our employees, we want to ensure PSI is positioned for success with a global and holistic view of talent. Under our new “work from (almost) anywhere,” or “WFAA” philosophy, we are making the necessary investments to be an employer of record in more than half of U.S. states, and consider the U.S. as one single labor market for salary purposes. Globally, we recognize the need to compete for talent everywhere; we maintain a talent center in Nairobi and a mini-hub in Abidjan. PSI also already works with our Dutch-based European partner, PSI Europe, and we’re creating a virtual talent center in the UK.

OUR COMMITMENTS

Meaningful Youth Engagement

PSI is firmly committed to the meaningful engagement of young people in our work. As signatories of the Global Consensus Statement on Meaningful Adolescent & Youth Engagement, PSI affirms that young people have a fundamental right to actively and meaningfully engage in all matters that affect their lives. PSI’s commitments aim to serve and partner with diverse young people from 10-24 years, and we have prioritized ethics and integrity in our approach. Read more about our commitments to the three core principles of respect, justice and Do No Harm in the Commitment to Ethics in Youth-Powered Design. And read more about how we are bringing our words to action in our ICPD+25 commitment, Elevating Youth Voices, Building Youth Skills for Health Design.

OUR COMMITMENTS

Zero Tolerance for Modern-Day Slavery and Human Trafficking

PSI works to ensure that its operations and supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking. Read more about this commitment in our policy statement, endorsed by the PSI Board of Directors.

OUR COMMITMENTS

UNITED NATIONS GLOBAL COMPACT

Since 2017, PSI has been a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact, a commitment to align strategies and operations with universal principles of human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption. Read about PSI’s commitment to the UN Global Compact here.

OUR COMMITMENTS

Environmental Sustainability

The health of PSI’s consumers is inextricably linked to the health of our planet. That’s why we’ve joined the Climate Accountability in Development as part of our commitment to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030. Read about our commitment to environmental sustainability.

OUR COMMITMENTS

Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity

PSI does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law. Read our full affirmative action and equal employment opportunity policy here.

OUR COMMITMENTS

Zero Tolerance for Discrimination and Harassment

PSI is committed to establishing and maintaining a work environment that fosters harmonious, productive working relationships and encourages mutual respect among team members. Read our policy against discrimination and harassment here.

PSI is committed to serving all health consumers with respect, and strives for the highest standards of ethical behavior. PSI is dedicated to complying with the letter and spirit of all laws, regulations and contractual obligations to which it is subject, and to ensuring that all funds with which it is entrusted are used to achieve maximum impact on its programs. PSI provides exceptionally strong financial, operational and program management systems to ensure rigorous internal controls are in place to prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse and ensure compliance with the highest standards. Essential to this commitment is protecting the safety and well-being of our program consumers, including the most vulnerable, such as women and children. PSI maintains zero tolerance for child abuse, sexual abuse, or exploitative acts or threats by our employees, consultants, volunteers or anyone associated with the delivery of our programs and services, and takes seriously all complaints of misconduct brought to our attention.

OUR FOCUS

Diversity and Inclusion

PSI affirms its commitment to diversity and believes that when people feel respected and included they can be more honest, collaborative and successful. We believe that everyone deserves respect and equal treatment regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, cultural background or religious beliefs. Read our commitment to diversity and inclusion here. Plus, we’ve signed the CREED Pledge for Racial and Ethnic Equity. Learn more.

OUR COMMITMENTS

Gender Equality

PSI affirms gender equality is a universal human right and the achievement of it is essential to PSI’s mission. Read about our commitment to gender equality here.

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03 Moving Care Closer to Consumers

04 Innovating on Investments

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