Introduction to Project
Child labour is often difficult to detect and is a complex issue to address
in a responsible manner. Although incidences are rarely reported in workplace
monitoring, corporate members felt that child labour might be present but
out of sight. These concerns were underlined by NGO
and trade union members, who confirmed that the risk of child labour in
supply chains is real. Evidence suggested a co-ordinated effort was most
likely to yield results and, with this in mind, the project was set up with
the ultimate aim of eliminating child labour from the supply chain, while
contributing positively to the lives of the children affected and their
communities.
Project aims and objectives
To assist companies in identifying the likely risk of child labour in their
supply chains. To provide practical strategies for identifying child labour
and dealing with it in a credible and coordinated manner, where it is found.
Key achievements and challenges:
- Mapping Survey and identification of project location – completed
2002
Initial assessment of global child labour risks carried out by analysing
information available from existing sources. The results of this were
compared with a ranked list of the country/industry product sources of
corporate members, and a list of potential trade union and NGO
partners in supplier countries, in order to identify an appropriate location
for a pilot project. As a result of this mapping process Tamil Nadu, South
India, was identified as an appropriate location for a pilot project to
explore a credible and co-ordinated response to child labour. In addition,
the mapping methodology was documented and shared with members.
- Research report on the Garment Industry in Tamil Nadu and Child Labour.
Based on desk research and a visit to Tamil Nadu in May 2002
- Discussions with potential project partners in Tamil Nadu
- November 2002 a member of the Secretariat visited Tamil Nadu to
learn from the International Labour Organisation’s work on child
labour there and to meet with potential trade union and NGO
partner organisations. The visit identified a number of useful lessons
from the ILO’s
experience and confirmed that local partners were willing to work
with the ETI in seeking to tackle the problems and identify
lessons.
- January 2003 a tripartite delegation visited the area. A meeting
of ETI members’ suppliers was hosted, and visits
were made to a number of factories and schools providing examples
of how child labour is currently being addressed both within business
and by trade unions and NGOs. Commitment was gained to
work as part of a local tripartite forum.
- September 2003 a larger visit by retailers, trade union and NGO
representatives. The trip provided an opportunity to learn about child
labour and included visits to schools and factories and meetings with
child labourers, government and potential partners. A tripartite seminar
to share learning and to formally launch the project locally by establishing
a local tripartite project group and agreeing a preliminary action
plan.
- Between September 2003 and August 2004 efforts were made to put the
plan into action, however this proved extremely challenging and time-consuming
and little headway was made in delivering concrete actions. In addition
we failed to recruit a local Coordinator suitable to both the ETI
and the local partners. This situation gave the UK group cause to re-evaluate
the project.
- In August 2004 the UK group met to discuss the future of the project.
It emerged that despite the commitment and best efforts of all members
of the tripartite groups (both in India and the UK), achieving the level
of communication and pace that the project needed to progress proved impossible.
It was therefore unanimously agreed to close the project in its current
form.
- The lessons from the project were documented and shared on the public
area of the ETI website in April 2005.
Plans
In June 2005 a group of interested ETI members met to discuss
what ETI should do to take forward work on this issue. It was
agreed that for this work to be successful we will need, in the first instance,
to get a consensus view among the tripartite membership on what we aim to
achieve and how. It was therefore agreed that some preliminary work should
be carried out by the membership to ensure that progress can be made. The
following preliminary steps towards producing guidance for companies were
agreed as:
- Negotiate agreement between a small and focused tripartite sub-group
on a Terms of Reference – setting out both the scope of the guidelines
and process for their development.
- Review existing resources on the roles of the different parties (government,
retailer, suppliers, trade unions, NGOs etc)
Once that has been completed we will explore the options for what further
work in this area is appropriate (possibly involving suppliers/partners
in other parts of the world). A small tripartite sub-group will meet to
start work on the Terms of Reference and review of existing resources in
early 2006.
Which ETI members were involved in the India phase of the
project?
Companies: CWS,
Debenhams, Marks & Spencer, Mothercare, Peter Black, J. Sainsbury Ltd,
Tesco;
Trade Unions: GMB,
ITGLWF,
TUC;
NGOs: Anti-Slavery International, Save the
Children UK.
As well as their suppliers, affiliates and partners inTamil Nadu.
For further information contact:
info@eti.org.uk.
Project documents:
- Case Study: The
ETI Child Labour Project 2001-2002
- Final Report
on ETI Child Labour Project 2001-2004
Relevant links:
Resources:
Child Labour
Eliminating child
labour: an urgent, and shared responsibility - A
comment by Dan Rees, Director of the Ethical Trading Initiative (plus
FAQ about child labour) (November 2007)
Conference 2003 Report:
Chapter 11 - What
role for the private sector in preventing, identifying and remedying child
labour?
ILO International Programme on the Elimination
of Child Labour ( IPEC)
[on ILO website].
"Stop
Child Labour" campaign website - including:
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