Ethical Sourcing
Ethical Sourcing
The KARRICO Ethical Sourcing Policy states our commitment to human rights and fair labour standards. Our business will only procure production from factories that abide by our ethical and social monitoring policies. All factories used by KARRICO undergo rigorous regular inspections by independent international auditors.
Our policy is designed to uphold United Nations declarations for human rights, rights of children and the rights of women as well as the guidelines of the International Labour Convention. Our policy requires adherence to the following principles:
Protection of the Environment
We commit to sustainable sourcing of materials and all our paper products and packaging are sourced from sustainable wood forests.
No Child Labour
KARRICO will not tolerate the use or support of child labour; Child labour is any form of work-based exploitation of a child which exposes the child to hazardous work, interferes with their right to be educated or puts at risk a child's health, physical, mental, or moral development. As defined by ILO (International Labour Organisation) Convention No. 138.
Health and Safety
Factories are required to develop a system to detect, avoid, and respond to risks and to record all accidents. Factories must provide all necessary PPE (personal protection equipment) as required for the work. Factories must also provide medical attention in event of work-related injury, remove and reduce risks to new and expectant mothers, provide hygienic toilets, safe to drink water, sanitary food, clean and safe dormitories, which meet basic needs and uphold the worker’s right to be free from imminent danger.
No Bonded Labour or Modern Slavery
KARRICO will not tolerate forced or compulsory labour this includes required 'deposits' – financial or otherwise; withholding salary, benefits, property or documents, to force personnel to continue work. KARRICO will also not abide restriction of workers’ right to leave premises after workday; preventing workers from being free to terminate their employment; or human trafficking in any form.
Fair Wages
KARRICO insists on the right of workers to a living wage. All workers, both permanent and temporary, must be paid at least legal minimum base wage. Wages are to be sufficient to meet basic needs & provide discretionary income. Deductions for disciplinary purposes are not permitted.
No Coercion or harassment of workers
KARRICO will not tolerate any type of intimidation, discrimination or harassment of workers (including sexual harassment) or where the factory management uses physical discipline (including physical contact), threatening tactics or allows unwanted sexual advances of any kind.
Ethical Business Behaviour
KARRICO insists on honesty in our communication with each other, our customers and our factories. We will not tolerate corruption, bribery or unethical behaviour. Our procurement factories must have ethics training for both workers and management. They must have systems and policies to promote and reward integrity, while discouraging dishonest or unethical behaviour.
Special Protection for Young Workers
Young workers must not be prevented from being able to attend further vocational or educational training to enhance their lives and must be permitted to attend these trainings out of regular factory hours. Internal factory trainings must be organised outside of the hours young workers need to attend their further education, so they are not discriminated against. Outside education and transport time when combined with work cannot exceed 10 hours in a day for a young worker. Factories that produce for KARRICO must have procedures in place to support young workers.
No Precarious Employment
KARRICO is against sourcing production from factories that utilise precarious employment practices, where workers have unclear and ambiguous legal status in their employment. Workers must not be denied feeling secure in their work and standard employment entitlements under local law. This is especially an issue for migrant workers who can be exploited by such practices, or where workers are outsourced through unscrupulous employment or temping agencies.
The Rights of Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
KARRICO believes in the right of freedom of association and the opportunity of collective bargaining for workers. Production facilities that supply KARRICO must allow their workers to join the relevant unions as permitted by local law and to participate in collective wage negotiations. Workers must be permitted to freely elect their own representatives and to consult and negotiate with management.