CSR & Child Labour Project

1. CSR & Child Labour Project Furthering child rights through corporate social responsible approaches to child labour in the textile and garment industry – introducing a child labour toolkit Rasmus Juhl Pedersen, Child Labour & CSR Advisor E-mail: rjp@redbarnet.dk

2. Project Objectives • Development of a project model for corporate approaches to child labour …that lives up to • Business requirements • Children’s rights • Development of methods and tools for corporate social responsible understanding and handling of child labour • Bringing together companies, industry associations, unions, NGOs and other relevant private sector and government sector actors in order to inform viable solutions to child • labour in the garment and textile industry in Bangladesh

3. Why collaborate with the RMG sector? • The garment companies are the right partners because: • They possess the needed expertise and qualifications in providing the children with marketable skills that can be applied in the RMG sector • There is a need to change the mindset towards a more people and child friendly work environment • Factories need to see their own self interest in improving workplace conditions and as a result improve worker productivity • The garment companies can be our vehicle to address the buyers and consumers that presently dissociate themselves from child labour

4. Child Labour Toolkit • Toolkit provides: • Guidelines to provide the best possible work conditions for children in the garment industry • Guidelines to ”how to treat children in ways that respect their rights” • Guidance on how to prevent child labour • Guidance on what corrective action to take if children are found working as underage (under 14) or with hazardous work (under 18)

5. Rationale behind the Toolkit • It is acceptable for children age 12 – 18 to work provided: • Children are not subjected to exploitative and dangerous work • The work of children is continually monitored • The workplace is safe and special consideration is given • Children are given proper training and instruction • Work hours are limited • Work is flexible • Work actively enables children going to school and receiving vocational training.

6. Plans for the future • Implement Child Labour Toolkit in Bangladeshi factories • Carry out training for management, middle management and supervisors on CSR, child rights, and child labour • Establish capacity for vocational training and job placement/apprenticeship

7. Value to garment companies • Literate and trained workforce • Productivity increases … through • Reduced worker turnover rate • Reduced absence from work due to illness and work accidents • More motivated workers • Less products rejected in quality control • Open markets for Bangladeshi products • Receive premium on price

8. Value to children • Skills: Children are trained and receive marketable practical skills • Livelyhood: Children are secured access to apprenticeship and part time jobs in combination with stipend and after the completion of training full time employment • Work safety: Children’s work safety is improved • Psycho social work environment: Children are treated better at the workplace