GoodWeave Best Practice Series to Eliminate Child Labor in Global Supply Chains
Child labor is a pervasive problem in global supply chains that deprives children of their fundamental human rights. The GoodWeave System is a comprehensive, market-based approach that goes beyond simple prohibition to change cultural norms, protect children and families, and address the root causes of child labor. GoodWeave’s five briefs titled “Best Practice Series to Eliminate Child Labor in Global Supply Chains” explore how companies and nongovernmental organizations can combat child labor in supply chains and sectors where they work.
This information is based on five key components for eliminating child labor and informed by GoodWeave’s extensive on-the-ground experience over 25+ years.
EFFECTIVE STANDARD SETTING
Standards can be an important tool for eliminating child labor when designed for real impact, but they need to be applicable to the worksites where children typically toil. The majority of documented child labor is found in informal production sites or obscured deep in supply chains.
DOWNLOAD EFFECTIVE STANDARD SETTING BRIEF (PDF)
INSPECTION AND MONITORING
An effective supply chain monitoring strategy is critical to mitigating and remediating child labor. A mix of audits and inspection visits to production units can provide visibility deep into the supply chain, helping companies and brands locate areas with the greatest risk for child labor.
DOWNLOAD INSPECTION AND MONITORING BRIEF (PDF)
DEEP SUPPLY CHAIN MAPPING
Child labor often goes undetected, hidden in unregistered production sites where company oversight programs do not reach. Clear and rigorous standards verified through in-depth mapping and inspection of all tiers of the supply chain are central to creating child-labor-free production.
DOWNLOAD DEEP SUPPLY CHAIN MAPPING BRIEF (PDF)
REMEDIATION
When child labor is detected in a supply chain, the first step is ensuring the safety of all involved. A remediation policy with accompanying procedures is critical for any company or nongovernmental organization working in a sector at-risk for child labor. Most procedures will involve working with a partner organization and/or the government.
DOWNLOAD REMEDIATION BRIEF (PDF)
PREVENTION
Ending child labor requires programs to address the root causes including, lack of access to education, poverty, worker exploitation, as well as social and cultural norms. Preventative strategies can ensure clean supply chains and have life-long positive impacts for children.
DOWNLOAD PREVENTION BRIEF (PDF)
For questions about partnering and training on our proven model, email CapacityBuilding@goodweave.org, or read impact stories based on implementation of GoodWeave’s model. The series was funded through generous support from The Walt Disney Company.
