Preventing child labour and protecting minors in the workplace are essential aspects of responsible business conduct and human rights due diligence. Ensuring that no children are employed and that young workers are safeguarded supports social sustainability, aligns with international labour conventions, and contributes to the protection and well-being of children in local communities.
The establishment ensures that no child under the age of 14 is employed and that any involvement of minors under the age of 18 in the workplace is strictly regulated, protective in nature and compliant with national and international child protection standards. The establishment furthermore ensures that no supplier using child labour is contracted.
The establishment therefore:
- refrains from the employment of children under the age of 14 under any circumstance;
- follows national legislation and, where it does not exist or is weaker than the criterion, complies with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and ILO Conventions No. 138 (Minimum Age) and No. 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labour); and
- respects children’s rights and protects children from all forms of exploitation, including sexual exploitation.
If persons under 18 are employed (e.g. through internships, apprenticeships, paid or unpaid positions), the establishment ensures that:
- written permission from a parent or legal guardian is obtained; or that there is a written agreement with the educational institution, specifying the nature of tasks, and work hours; and
- all applicable labour laws are followed, including those related to maximum working hours, minimum rest periods and breaks, days off and annual leave, compensation and insurance (if required). In the absence of national legislation, ILO Guidelines are followed.
During the audit, the establishment presents:
- a signed declaration confirming that no children under the age of 14 are employed. The visual inspection further confirms this; and
- guardian’s written consent or agreements with educational institutions (if applicable), records showing compliance with applicable labour laws for any individual under the age of 18 working at the establishment. The documents may be shown in anonymised form, but anonymisation is not required as no copies are collected; the check is purely visual.
Preventing child labour and protecting minors in the workplace are essential aspects of responsible business conduct and human rights due diligence. Ensuring that no children are employed and that young workers are safeguarded supports social sustainability, aligns with international labour conventions, and contributes to the protection and well-being of children in local communities.
The establishment ensures that no child under the age of 14 is employed and that any involvement of minors under the age of 18 in the workplace is strictly regulated, protective in nature and compliant with national and international child protection standards. The establishment furthermore ensures that no supplier using child labour is contracted.
The establishment therefore:
- refrains from the employment of children under the age of 14 under any circumstance;
- follows national legislation and, where it does not exist or is weaker than the criterion, complies with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and ILO Conventions No. 138 (Minimum Age) and No. 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labour); and
- respects children’s rights and protects children from all forms of exploitation, including sexual exploitation.
If persons under 18 are employed (e.g. through internships, apprenticeships, paid or unpaid positions), the establishment ensures that:
- written permission from a parent or legal guardian is obtained; or that there is a written agreement with the educational institution, specifying the nature of tasks, and work hours; and
- all applicable labour laws are followed, including those related to maximum working hours, minimum rest periods and breaks, days off and annual leave, compensation and insurance (if required). In the absence of national legislation, ILO Guidelines are followed.
During the audit, the establishment presents:
- a signed declaration confirming that no children under the age of 14 are employed. The visual inspection further confirms this; and
- guardian’s written consent or agreements with educational institutions (if applicable), records showing compliance with applicable labour laws for any individual under the age of 18 working at the establishment. The documents may be shown in anonymised form, but anonymisation is not required as no copies are collected; the check is purely visual.