Why we commit to the ETI Base Code?
- Employment is freely chosen – Slavery and bonded labour are totally unacceptable. Almost 21 million people are victims of forced labour.
- Child labour shall not be used – 168 million children work to support their families, missing out on education and often damaging their health. This reinforces the cycle of poverty.
- No discrimination is practised – Women and certain minorities are often confined to the lowest-paid jobs with no access to training or promotion.
- Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected – Tens of thousands of workers lose their jobs every year for attempting to form or join a trade union or improve working conditions. Some even lose their lives.
- Living wages are paid – Roughly half the world’s population still lives on two dollars a day. If people can’t feed their families on an adult’s wage, they may send their children to work.
- Regular employment is provided – Most workers can be laid off when it suits the employer. This fuels poverty and insecurity and drives down wages.
- Working conditions are safe and hygienic – Working conditions are safe and hygienic An estimated 2.3 million people die every year from work-related accidents and diseases.
- Working hours are not excessive – Long working hours are the norm for most of the world’s workers. This damages people’s health and undermines family life.
- No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed – Few workers have protection against physical, verbal or sexual abuse in the workplace. Few workers have protection against physical, verbal or sexual abuse in the workplace.
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