So what can I do to get information on my suppliers' labour practices?
If you have the resources, it makes sense to visit the supplier in person and inspect the workplace/s yourself. If you are able to make a personal visit, you also need to work out how you are going to follow up on any issues you uncover.
If your business is very small and you do not have the resources to carry out in-depth inspections of the workplace/s concerned, here are a few suggestions on how you can get information:
Ask them whether they have seen a code of labour practice before, and if so, what are their views about it and what are they doing to comply with it. Sometimes asking just a few well-chosen questions will give you a good indication about the suppliers' attitude.
Ask your supplier whether they have been audited for their labour practices and if they have, ask them who carried it out and if you can see a copy. If they appear happy to share information, this is one indication that they will be willing to improve.
Stay in regular communication with your supplier. Ethical trade is not a one-off activity.
Find out what you can about local conditions to try and build up a picture of what the national laws are and whether they are enforced, and what the main risks of labour abuses are.
If you can, find out who your suppliers' other customers are. If they include any of ETI's members, it's worth contacting the company/ies concerned to see if you can share information and/or pool resources.
FAQ subject
Small businesses
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