Statement of Support for the United Nations Global Compact
Sweatshop Boys (Pty) Ltd proudly supports the United Nations Global Compact and its Ten Principles, particularly those relating to the protection and promotion of human rights. We are committed to upholding the dignity, safety, and well-being of all individuals impacted by our business operations.
As a responsible corporate citizen, we strive to align our strategies, culture, and day-to-day operations with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and we actively work to ensure that our practices respect and support internationally proclaimed human rights, both within our company and throughout our value chain.
By endorsing the UN Global Compact, we reaffirm our dedication to ethical business practices and continuous improvement in creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.
Health and Safety Policy
Sweatshop Boys (Pty) Ltd
At Sweatshop Boys (Pty) Ltd, we are committed to providing a safe, healthy, and supportive working environment for all our employees, contractors, visitors, and stakeholders. The health, safety, and well-being of everyone affected by our operations are of paramount importance to us and integral to our business success.
Our Commitments:
• We comply with all applicable occupational health and safety laws, regulations, and industry best practices.
• We proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks and hazards in the workplace to prevent injury, illness, and incidents.
• We provide appropriate training, equipment, resources, and support to empower employees to work safely and responsibly.
• We promote a culture of shared responsibility, where every team member is encouraged to actively participate in health and safety practices.
• We maintain open communication and consultation on health and safety matters across all levels of the company.
• We continuously monitor, review, and improve our health and safety performance.
Employee Responsibilities:
All employees are expected to:
• Follow all safety procedures, policies, and instructions.
• Report any hazards, incidents, or near-misses immediately.
• Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others.
• Actively participate in training and safety initiatives.
Management Responsibilities:
Our leadership team is accountable for ensuring this policy is implemented effectively. Managers must lead by example, support a strong safety culture, and provide the necessary resources for maintaining a safe workplace.
This policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains current, relevant, and effective.
Workplace Respect, Anti-Violence, and Anti-Harassment Policy
Sweatshop Boys (Pty) Ltd
At Sweatshop Boys (Pty) Ltd, we are committed to fostering a workplace culture that is safe, respectful, inclusive, and free from all forms of violence, bullying, harassment, and any other disrespectful or harmful behavior.
We believe that every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and fairness, and we do not tolerate any conduct that undermines the physical or emotional well-being of our employees, contractors, or stakeholders.
Policy Commitments:
• All workers have the right to a work environment free from violence, bullying, harassment (including sexual harassment), intimidation, and any form of abuse—whether physical, verbal, psychological, or digital.
• We take all complaints and concerns seriously and address them promptly, fairly, and confidentially.
• Disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, will be taken against anyone found to have violated this policy.
• We will not tolerate retaliation against any individual who reports inappropriate conduct in good faith or participates in an investigation.
Definitions:
• Violence includes physical acts intended to cause harm, threats of harm, or behavior that creates a reasonable fear of harm.
• Bullying refers to repeated, unreasonable behavior directed toward an individual or group that creates a risk to health and safety.
• Harassment includes unwelcome conduct, comments, or actions that offend, humiliate, or intimidate.
• Disrespectful behavior includes rudeness, exclusion, belittling remarks, or any other conduct that violates our standards of professional respect.
Employee Responsibilities:
• Treat all colleagues and stakeholders with respect, kindness, and professionalism.
• Speak up if you experience or witness any form of bullying, harassment, or violence.
• Cooperate fully and honestly with any investigations.
Management Responsibilities:
• Lead by example, reinforcing respectful behavior in all interactions.
• Respond promptly and appropriately to reports or signs of inappropriate conduct.
• Ensure that all staff are aware of this policy and their rights and responsibilities.
This policy applies to all work-related activities, whether on-site, off-site, or online, and to interactions with clients, vendors, and the public.
We are dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone feels safe, respected, and empowered to thrive.
Slavery Policy
While Sweatshop Boys (Pty) Ltd is not currently subject to formal modern slavery reporting requirements, we are fully committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and human rights within our operations and supply chain.
We take proactive steps to ensure that slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, harmful child labour, and human trafficking have no place in our organisation or among our business partners. These steps include:
• Supplier Due Diligence: We carefully assess our suppliers and partners to ensure they share our values and adhere to ethical labour practices. We prioritise working with suppliers who demonstrate transparency and a clear commitment to human rights.
• Contractual Expectations: Where applicable, we include clauses in our contracts that require suppliers to comply with relevant labour laws and international standards, including those related to fair wages, working conditions, and the prohibition of forced or child labour.
• Internal Awareness and Training: Our team is made aware of the risks associated with modern slavery and is encouraged to report any concerns or red flags through appropriate channels. We foster a culture of vigilance and accountability.
• Workplace Practices: We maintain fair employment practices within our company, ensuring that all staff work under freely chosen conditions, with proper contracts, fair pay, and safe, respectful working environments.
• Continuous Review: We are committed to reviewing and improving our policies and practices to identify and mitigate risks related to human rights abuses within our operations and supply chain.
Environmental Policy
Purpose
At Sweatshop Boys (Pty) Ltd, we recognise our responsibility to minimise our environmental impact and contribute to a sustainable future. Although our core business—providing digital library music to corporate clients—has a relatively low physical footprint, we are committed to integrating environmental considerations into all aspects of our operations and influencing positive environmental practices throughout our value chain.
Scope
This policy applies to all areas of our business operations, including digital content sourcing, client services, administration, and collaboration with third-party partners such as Epidemic Sound and our corporate clients throughout Africa.
Our Commitments
1. Digital Sustainability
• As a digital-first company, we prioritise services and solutions that reduce the need for physical materials and transport.
• We aim to optimise the environmental efficiency of our digital operations, including energy use in cloud storage, streaming, and file distribution.
• We prefer to work with partners who use green data centres and sustainable technology infrastructure.
2. Ethical Sourcing and Partnerships
• We source our library music exclusively from Epidemic Sound, a globally respected provider that adheres to high environmental and ethical standards.
• We engage with Epidemic Sound and other digital partners to understand their sustainability commitments and align ourselves with suppliers who actively reduce their carbon and material footprints.
3. Waste Reduction and Resource Efficiency
• We maintain a paperless office policy wherever possible, opting for electronic documentation, communication, and billing.
• Office supplies and equipment are chosen with sustainability in mind, including recycled materials and energy-efficient devices.
• We promote a “reduce, reuse, recycle” culture among staff and contractors.
4. Energy Efficiency and Carbon Awareness
• We strive to use energy-efficient devices and minimize unnecessary energy consumption in our physical workspaces.
• Where travel is necessary, we prioritise low-impact alternatives such as video conferencing.
• We aim to monitor and, where possible, reduce our carbon footprint from digital operations and any in-person activities.
• We have installed solar panels at our offices to reduce our carbon footprint.
5. Employee Engagement and Training
• We educate our team on environmental issues relevant to our business model and encourage active participation in sustainable practices.
• Environmental responsibility is integrated into our daily business culture and decision-making processes.
6. Corporate Client Engagement
• We promote awareness among our corporate clients regarding the benefits of using digital content services with minimal environmental impact.
• We are open to collaborating with clients on joint sustainability goals or environmentally conscious initiatives.
7. Continuous Improvement
• This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains relevant and effective.
• We are committed to setting measurable goals for sustainability improvement and reporting on progress where appropriate.
Conclusion
Sweatshop Boys (Pty) Ltd is proud to play a part in building a more sustainable and responsible digital economy. By embedding environmental consciousness into our business model and partnerships, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the protection of our planet—while delivering high-quality music solutions to clients across Africa.