Sustainability Report 2007

Cases like Jiao-jie* are not uncommon. While China’s legal working age is 16, socio-economic pressures mean that protecting children from work that is potentially exploitative, hazardous or harmful does not always take precedence.

Under-age labor is a zero tolerance issue for Electrolux. In 2007, we uncovered 21 children between the ages of 14 and 16 employed by four suppliers. In all such cases, our priority is to protect the interests of the child.

Each child has a story to tell
Our investigation into why Jiao-jie was working and how she was recruited found she was employed under the same conditions and had to deliver the same results as older colleagues, involving shifts and long hours. “When found, she was taken off the assembly line,” says Andrew Feng. “We were able to contact her parents and prepare her return home.”

In dialogue with Jiao-jie, her parents and the supplier, it was agreed she could continue to receive a salary provided she resume her schooling. Electrolux conducted a follow-up visit to her village six months later and found her returned to her family and safe.

Supplier monitoring
In under-age labor cases, non-compliant suppliers are given immediate notice by our responsible buyer that corrective measures must be taken, failing which the supplier contract is subject to termination. Within a month, they are re-audited, sometimes unannounced, to verify hiring procedures, and to search for additional under-age workers at the facility. In 2007, all affected suppliers recognized the severity of the situation and revised their routines. No supplier contract was terminated due to under-age workers.

Every child is followed up
With the exception of four children who left the premises before we were able to investigate further, Electrolux followed up all the child workers uncovered. Of the 21 children identified last year, 15 returned to their parents. Like Jiao-jie, nine of these were provided a salary and promised a job once they come of age. Six of the 15, however, refused the salary payment offer.

“Some parents are cautious about being perceived as indebted to the employer. They choose not to be tied to the factory in that way,” says Henrik Dahlström, Director of the Responsible Purchasing Program.

In 2008, Electrolux will continue to dialogue with a non-governmental organization with indepth knowledge of China and issues relating to the protection of children, to further develop our response. 

*Jiao-jie is not her real name.

Perspectives: Unicef
Anna Ryott, UNICEF Sweden’s fundraising director, provides her insight on child protection:

"In China, issues relating to children in the workforce are highly complex and are increasing at the same rate as its rapid economic growth. Some 58 million children have been left behind by parents seeking work elsewhere, increasing these minors’ vulnerability. When a company discovers children in its supply chain, each child’s situation must remain in sharp focus."

"About 20 million children have migrated to urban areas from their home communities. School and healthcare rights as defined by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child are therefore inaccessible to them. Upholding the convention should guide every company’s approach."

"With the objective of protecting each individual child, companies should assess, define policies and procedures on what happens to children when they are no longer employed. Provisions may include support to attend school, and/or reintegrating them into their home, school and community. We also recommend that the company consult with country-specific NGOs regularly."