Our aim is to ensure that every employee in the supply chain enjoys good working conditions and is rewarded appropriately for the work performed. Hagé and our growers are committed to fair working conditions. One way that we are working to achieve this goal is by participating in the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI).
What is BSCI?
BSCI is the management and monitoring system of the Foreign Trade Association, the trade association for European distributors. BSCI seeks to improve working conditions for people employed at consumer goods companies in at-risk countries. Hagé has been a member of the BSCI since 1 January 2012.
Why do we participate in BSCI?
A large share of our imports come from countries where people do not normally enjoy the working conditions to which we are accustomed in the Western world. As yet, these countries do not comply with standards that protect workers' rights, as defined in the International Labour Organisation Conventions. As a leading import organisation, we can play an important role in improving working conditions in these countries.
Social audits
From 2012, our participating growers will be subject to social audits. We will look at the working conditions offered by these growers. The audits are based on the 'BSCI Code of Conduct' which, in turn, is based in part on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and ILO Conventions.
The guidelines in the Code of Conduct concern issues such as:
- Wage levels
- Working hours
- Discrimination
- Child labour
- Health and safety
- Forced labour.
Through the BSCI programme, we support growers in complying with standards and look at what changes we can and must make to improve working conditions for employees.