Statement on Modern Slavery

Waste Free Celebrations Ltd (New Zealand) Waste Free Celebrations LLC (USA) and Waste Free Trading, Logistics and Handicrafts Company Ltd (Afghanistan)

Referred to as “Waste Free Celebrations”

Modern Slavery and Anti‑Trafficking Policy Statement

1. Purpose and Scope

Waste Free Celebrations is firmly committed to preventing modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labor, and exploitation in all its operations and supply chains. This policy applies to all employees, contractors, suppliers, and any third parties acting on behalf of Waste Free Celebrations, in Afghanistan and abroad.

2. Our Commitment

We recognize that women workers in Afghanistan can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. Waste Free Celebrations therefore commits to:

• Prohibit all forms of modern slavery, human trafficking, forced, bonded, or compulsory labor.
• Provide safe, respectful, and dignified employment for women, free from coercion, harassment, and discrimination.
• Ensure that work is entered into voluntarily and that every worker is free to leave employment with reasonable notice.
• Pay wages promptly and in full directly to the employee and not to her male father, brother or husband, at least in accordance with applicable Afghan labor laws and any relevant international standards.

3. Employment Conditions and Workers’ Rights

Waste Free Celebrations will:

• Provide every worker with a clear, written contract in a language she understands, stating job role, wages, benefits, working hours, and conditions of employment.
• Never retain passports, identity documents, or personal property as a condition of employment.
• Prohibit the charging of recruitment or hiring fees to workers by the company or by any labor broker or agent acting on our behalf.
• Ensure working hours, rest breaks, and overtime comply with Afghan law and relevant international standards.
• Respect the rights of workers to raise concerns, organize, or join lawful associations without fear of retaliation.

4. Recruitment and Hiring

To reduce risks of trafficking and exploitation, Waste Free Celebrations will:

• Conduct recruitment ethically, transparently, and without discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, religion, marital status, or other protected characteristics. We do however, prioritize women from women-headed households who have no other source of income to provide for their families. 
• Vet and monitor any recruitment agencies or labor brokers to ensure they comply with this policy and with all applicable laws.
• Provide truthful information about job terms before employment begins and ensure that no worker is deceived about the nature or location of work.

5. Health, Safety, and Protection of Women Workers

Waste Free Celebrations is committed to:

• Providing a safe and healthy working environment, including appropriate facilities for women workers (e.g., separate sanitation facilities and private spaces where required).
• Taking particular care to protect young workers and women at risk, including pregnant and nursing women.
• Prohibiting all forms of gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and abuse. Allegations will be investigated promptly, confidentially, and without retaliation.

6. Supply Chains and Business Partners

Waste Free Celebrations expects all suppliers, contractors, and business partners to:

• Comply with this Modern Slavery and Anti‑Trafficking Policy and all applicable Afghan and international laws.
• Maintain employment practices that prevent forced labor, child labor (as defined by law), and exploitation.
• Allow audits and assessments by Waste Free Celebrations or its representatives when reasonably requested.
• Take immediate corrective action if non‑compliance is identified, or risk termination of the business relationship.

7. Reporting Concerns and Whistleblowing

Waste Free Celebrations encourages all employees and stakeholders to report any suspicion or evidence of:

• Forced labor, trafficking, or exploitation;
• Threats, violence, or coercion linked to work;
• Retention of identity documents or recruitment fees.

Reports may be made through:

hello@wastefreecelebrations.co.nz

Attn: HR Manager. Reports may be in Dari, Pashto or Urdu and will be translated professionally in New Zealand. 

All reports will be treated seriously and, as far as possible, confidentially. No employee will suffer retaliation or adverse treatment for reporting concerns in good faith.

8. Training and Awareness

Waste Free Celebrations will:

• Provide training to managers, supervisors, and key staff on recognizing and preventing modern slavery and trafficking, with particular attention to the context of women’s employment in Afghanistan.
• Communicate this policy to all employees and relevant third parties in accessible language and formats.

9. Implementation, Monitoring, and Review

Waste Free Celebrations will:

• Integrate this policy into our management systems and procedures.
• Periodically assess risks of modern slavery and trafficking in our operations and supply chains and take steps to reduce those risks.
• Review this policy at least annually, or sooner if required by changes in law or operating conditions in Afghanistan.

10. Legal Compliance

Waste Free Celebrations will comply with all applicable Afghan labor, employment, and anti‑trafficking laws, as well as relevant international standards, including the core conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on forced labor and child labor.