Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy Statement

Termez University of Economics and Service affirms its commitment to operating as an ethical, socially responsible, and law-abiding institution in all areas of its academic, administrative, procurement, and partnership activity. The University recognizes that modern slavery, forced labour, child labour, debt bondage, servitude, and human trafficking are serious violations of human dignity and fundamental human rights.

TUES declares that it does not tolerate any form of modern slavery or human trafficking within its own operations, nor does it knowingly engage with suppliers, contractors, or other third parties whose practices are inconsistent with these principles. The University believes that all people engaged in work connected to the University should be treated with dignity and respect, should not be subject to coercion or exploitation, and should work under conditions that are lawful, safe, and humane.

Termez University of Economics and Service is a higher education institution engaged in teaching, learning, research, innovation, professional development, and community-oriented academic activity. TUES procures goods, services, and works necessary for academic delivery, student support, campus management, information technology, facilities maintenance, public events, and institutional development.

The University recognizes that its activities are connected, directly and indirectly, to a broad network of supply relationships. Risk can arise not only in direct procurement contracts, but also deeper within supply chains where visibility may be more limited. TUES therefore acknowledges that responsibility in this area extends beyond its immediate campus environment.

TUES is committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of its institutional activity or, so far as reasonably possible, within the supply chains connected to its operations. The University's priorities are to strengthen awareness, improve procurement-related due diligence, encourage responsible supplier conduct, protect vulnerable persons from exploitation, and ensure that institutional procedures do not create tolerance for unethical labour practices.

The University expects all suppliers, contractors, and external partners to respect the dignity and rights of workers and to demonstrate that their own employment and supply-chain practices are consistent with lawful and ethical standards. The University's long-term vision is to strengthen a culture in which procurement, operational governance, and supplier relationships are informed not only by price and convenience, but also by legality, fairness, transparency, and human rights awareness.

The supply chain of TUES includes the procurement of goods, services, and works necessary for the functioning of the University, including teaching and learning materials, research-related goods, professional and administrative services, laboratory and IT equipment, facilities management services, utilities, cleaning, security, catering, construction and repair works, and various outsourced operational functions.

The University recognizes that this supply chain is diverse and that labour conditions and supply-chain transparency can vary significantly across different categories of purchase. Labour exploitation can occur in different forms including informal labour practices, coerced work, child labour, exploitative recruitment, undocumented subcontracting, excessive working hours, wage abuse, restriction of movement, or unsafe working conditions.

TUES is committed to taking reasonable and proportionate steps to identify and mitigate the risk of modern slavery and human trafficking in its operations and supply chains. The University seeks to incorporate human-rights and labour-risk considerations into its wider responsible procurement and supplier-management arrangements.

TUES recognizes that due diligence must be proportionate to risk. Where the University identifies categories of purchase or supplier relationships that may involve elevated human-rights risks, enhanced attention should be given, including additional supplier questioning, review of relevant policies or declarations, and greater caution in supplier selection.

The University also acknowledges that the absence of reported abuse does not automatically mean the absence of risk. Modern slavery is often hidden, and detection may be difficult where transparency is weak.

TUES recognizes that policy commitments become effective only when individuals understand them and are able to apply them in practice. Staff involved in procurement, administration, contract management, supplier interaction, and operational decision-making should have an appropriate level of awareness of what modern slavery may look like, why it matters, and how concerns should be raised.

The University aims to strengthen internal understanding of issues such as forced labour, exploitative recruitment, child labour, abusive subcontracting, and warning signs that may indicate heightened risk. By improving awareness, TUES seeks to strengthen a culture in which ethical concerns are taken seriously and addressed through the appropriate institutional channels.

Termez University of Economics and Service is committed to strengthening the effectiveness of its response to modern slavery and human trafficking over time. TUES intends to improve the way it identifies and assesses potential risk areas, monitors procurement categories that may present heightened concern, and evaluates whether suppliers are able to meet basic expectations regarding ethical labour practice.

The University also means protecting those who raise concerns in good faith and ensuring that reporting mechanisms are available, credible, and safe. TUES expects suppliers to have appropriate policies, procedures, and practices in place to reduce the risk of slavery and trafficking in their own operations and supply chains.