2022-2023

The Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) is committed to upholding a strong policy against forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labor. AASTMT recognizes the importance of promoting ethical and responsible employment practices within its institution and among its stakeholders. This commitment extends to ensuring that all employees and individuals associated with AASTMT are treated with dignity and respect and that their rights and freedoms are protected. By adhering to this policy, AASTMT actively contributes to the prevention of modern slavery and human trafficking while supporting a fair and just employment environment, both internally and in its engagement with the broader community.

Policy against Forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labor

Description
The Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport is a higher education institution with the mission of "advancing education and knowledge through teaching and research, as well as the application of knowledge to societal welfare, particularly through teaching and research in technological, scientific, social, and professional disciplines. Along with its national and international responsibilities, it will have a special commitment to the Arab Region’s economic and educational well-being.

Our mission is to advance social and economic development sustainably via exceptional teaching, research, and innovation. In carrying out this objective, the University is committed to becoming a values-driven organization, with trust as the cornerstone of our relationships and integrity at the heart of everything we do. As such, the University is entirely dedicated to hiring personnel, engaging with, and supporting students, procuring goods, services, and works, and otherwise conducting business in an ethical and non-harmful manner.

By depriving individuals of their liberty or exploiting them for personal or commercial gain, forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labor are considered national and international crimes and violations of fundamental human rights. The University is dedicated to preventing any violations of human rights and will take appropriate action if this policy is breached.

Scope
This policy applies to all University staff at all levels, adjunct staff, interns, volunteers, outsourced staff, and workers. This policy applies to all University activities and processes that might have potential risks including but not limited to Recruitment and Procurement processes.

Aim

This statement demonstrates the University’s compliance with the Modern Slavery Acts by informing all members of the University community and other stakeholders about the University’s policies and practices regarding the risk of modern slavery, human trafficking, forced and bonded labor, and labor rights violations in its supply chains.

Policy Statement

The University maintains a zero-tolerance policy for modern slavery and human trafficking, as well as for violations of human rights. We are dedicated to operating ethically and with integrity in all of our commercial dealings and interactions, as well as to adopting and enforcing effective systems and procedures to guarantee that the University does not contribute in any manner to modern slavery. Along with this statement, we have a variety of policy statements that substantiate our commitment.

Procedures
The Labor Policy reaffirms the commitment of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport to basic human rights as a foundational component of how the University conducts business and collaborates with its employees, as well as its commitment to establishing a work environment that respects everyone’s dignity and worth. Modern slavery and human trafficking are not tolerated at the University.

The University is committed to adhering to the following standards:

• The University will adopt sound collective bargaining methods to ensure that both the University and its employees have an equal voice during discussions and that the outcome is fair and equitable.
• The University’s administration shall refrain from imposing punitive measures — such as threatening, fining, suspending, or terminating — against employees who exercise their rights.
• The University’s administration shall refrain from using intimidation, arbitrary searches, or police or military action to restrict workers’ rights to associate freely.
• The University’s administration should not impose any restrictions on employees who choose to freely terminate their employment, such as excessive notice periods or hefty fines for contract termination. Contracts of employment must also adhere to legal standards.
•  While the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport does not employ children as part of its corporate social responsibility, the university complies fully with Egyptian labor regulations governing child labor.
• No child labor shall be employed. Processing workers must be at least 18 years old (or the legal minimum age, if applicable) and, where applicable, not younger than the compulsory school age. Discrimination-free living is a fundamental human right. Workers should not be discriminated against based on their gender, age, ethnicity, religion, or any other factor unrelated to their job performance. Hiring, salary, promotion, termination, and retirement policies, as well as access to training, should be based on an individual’s capacity to execute the job effectively, not on his or her traits.
• Any staff member who violates the above values is subject to disciplinary action, which may result in dismissal.
• Any supplier who violates our values or the outlined policy is immediately suspended from the University’s list and will not be considered for future collaboration unless they can demonstrate complete compliance with the Modern Slavery Act and the University’s policies and procedures.
  

Review program

AASTMT Policy against Forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labor  

The AASTMT also organized events to spread awareness about the risks of Forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labor, the following are some of them:

AASTMT participates in the activities of the GREENLAND project

The Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) has been an active participant in the Greenland project, a vital initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable development and economic growth across the Mediterranean region. This project closely aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8), which emphasizes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, as well as full and productive employment and decent work for everyone. AASTMT's role in the Greenland project underscores its dedication to advancing this goal by contributing to job creation that upholds fair labor practices and ethical employment standards.

AASTMT’s involvement in the Greenland project also includes reinforcing its strong stance against forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labor. Recognizing its responsibility to prevent exploitative labor practices in its development efforts, AASTMT actively pursues these objectives in collaboration with other project partners. By promoting the principles of decent work and social justice as outlined in SDG 8, AASTMT contributes to the larger goal of eradicating forced labor, modern slavery, human trafficking, and child labor in the Mediterranean region. This commitment reflects AASTMT’s dedication to building a more equitable and sustainable future for all.