Statement on Child and Forced Labor

Child and forced labor are pervasive problems throughout the world. As an employer and purchaser of services and goods, SIMKAB has an important role to play in these issues. 

To this end, SIMKAB has adopted the following Principles to reinforce its core value of treating all people with dignity and respect:  Child and forced labor are pervasive problems throughout the world. As an employer and purchaser of services and goods, SIMKAB has an important role to play in these issues. To this end, SIMKAB has adopted the following Principles to reinforce its core value of treating all people with dignity and respect:

• SIMKAB will not tolerate the use of child or forced labor in any of its global operations and facilities.
• We will not tolerate the exploitation of children, their engagement in unacceptably hazardous work, and the physical punishment, abuse, or involuntary servitude of any worker.
• We expect the suppliers and contractors with whom we do business to uphold the same standards. Should a pattern of violation of these Principles become known to SIMKAB and not be corrected, we shall discontinue the business relationship.
• For purposes of these Principles, a "child" is anyone who is less than 15 years of age.
• SIMKAB supports temporary workplace internship and apprenticeship education programs for younger persons as well as customary seasonal employment so long as such persons are closely supervised and their morals, safety, health and compulsory education are not compromised in any way.
  
  
  

It is the responsibility of local management to implement and ensure compliance with these Principles at SIMKAB facilities in each region around the world. SIMKAB Sourcing has responsibility for ensuring the implementation and compliance with the Principles on a global basis by SIMKAB suppliers and contractors. The following Guidelines are provided to help in carrying out these responsibilities:

Guidelines on Child Labor

What is a "child"?

For purposes of these Principles, a "child" as anyone who is less than 15 years of age.

What if the employment concerns hazardous work?

In the case of hazardous work, any person under the age of 18 must not be employed.

What is "hazardous work"?

In determining work that is unsuitably dangerous for persons under the age of 18, consideration should be given to:

1. Work which exposes them to the possibility of physical, psychological or sexual abuse;

2. Work underground, under water, at dangerous heights or in confined spaces;

3. Work with dangerous machinery, equipment and tools, or which involves the manual handling or transport of heavy loads;

4. Work in an unhealthy environment which may, for example, expose them to hazardous substances, agents or processes, or to temperatures, noise levels, or vibrations damaging to their health;

5. Work under particularly difficult conditions such as work for long hours or during the night or work where they are unreasonably confined to the premises of the employer.

Who is responsible for verifying a worker's age?

It is the responsibility of local management and each supplier to verify the age of an applicant for any particular type of employment.

What is the best way to verify a worker's age?

Commonly accepted proofs of age include, but are not limited to, the following: a government- issued birth certificate with raised seal; a record of birth maintained in connection with religious practices, that is contemporary with the birth and shows the date of the birth event; or an official passport showing the age of the child when such record has been in existence for at least a year.

Guidelines on Forced Labor

What is "Forced Labor"?

Forced labor is any and all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty for its nonperformance and for which the worker does not offer him-, or herself voluntarily. Providing wages or other compensation to a worker does not necessarily indicate that that labor is not forced or compulsory.

What is SIMKAB's internal commitment on the issue of Forced Labor?

SIMKAB, will not use Forced Labor in any of its operations anywhere in the world.

What is SIMKAB's external commitment on the issue of Forced Labor?

SIMKAB will not purchase, rent, lease, borrow or otherwise use any products, goods, services or raw materials anywhere in the world made or provided by a supplier who knowingly uses forced or involuntary prison labor.