Why should you know if your supplier is using Child Labor?
Table of Contents
- Why is it important to ensure that my supplier is not using Child Labor?
- So, how can I check that my factory is not using child labor workers?
- What is an SA8000 Audit?
- So, how can an Audit prevent a supplier from using child labor?
- So, what is the process to check if a supplier is using Child Labour?
- What are the benefits of having Child Labor Checks?
- Over to you…
Why is it important to ensure that my supplier is not using Child Labour?
Society today expects every company to trade ethically. Your customers do not want to buy products sourced from suppliers who exploit and abuse children to make these products.
- Child labor is essential for the credibility and legitimacy of a business in the eyes of all its stakeholders.
- Using children is also likely to indicate poor management practices and poor compliance with a broader set of labor standards.
- Child labor can also be an indicator of poor attitudes and behavior towards workers more generally.
So, how can I check that my factory is not using child labor workers?
The easiest way is to hire an independent third-party audit and inspection company to visit your supplier or factory.
Companies can audit the factory and interview the management to confirm that they are not illegally employing children.
You will then receive a dated Audit report, which you can provide to any customers or stakeholders to show that your company has done its due diligence.
What is an SA8000 Audit?
SA8000 is the Standard for Social Responsibility and Accountability. It is also known as a Social Audit.
SA8000 covers a range of areas of public concern, including:
- Child labor
- Forced labor
- Workplace safety and health
- Freedom of association
- Discrimination
- Discipline and bullying
- Working hours
- Wages
So, how can an Audit prevent a supplier from using child labor?
An audit should be treated as a continuous process of checking and verifying a supplier.
So, requesting an audit of a supplier lets them know that you are checking them and will continue to check them.
The first audit establishes the minimum standard level which the factory must meet.
Future audits should be improving on the results from the previous audit. So, if a factory knows that you will be checking them for illegal child labor, they will be less likely to use child labor illegally as they know that your audits will find out.
So, what is the process to check if a supplier is using Child Labour?
An SA8000 audit can be a costly audit and certification to undertake. For most countries, it is not necessary, and some firms will only invest in it if a stakeholder requires them.
A Factory Audit is a more cost-effective way of checking a supplier for the illegal employment of kids and children. A section of this audit covers labor policies.
A Factory Audit is very popular with firms who want to have an independent record that they have checked with their suppliers about the use of child labor.
What are the benefits of having Child Labor Checks?
The benefits to your organization include:
- Show your customers, employees, and suppliers that your business is committed to treating employees ethically and is socially accountable for this commitment.
- It assists your company in reducing product failure costs through improved management and better production of your suppliers within your supply chain.
- Reduce the risks of litigation, negligence, and any poor public relations that may occur due to improper suppliers being in your supply chain.
- Supports your organization’s ability to tender for major contracts.
Over to you…
If you have any concerns about your suppliers using children in their workforce, please contact me or visit Goodada’s Inspections and Audits page to see the countries in which Goodada offers Child Labour Audit Services. Moreover, if you are searching for products please visit Goodadas Products Page.
Therefore, for more information contact:
Contact Person: Aidan Conaty
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Phone:(Europe/ Rest of the World) +353 1 885 3919 ; (UK) +44.020.3287.2990 ; (North America) +1.518.290.6604