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Baseline for Action against Child Labour in Tobacco-Growing - ECLT Pledge 2nd Anniversary!

2nd anniversary of the signing of the ECLT Pledge of Commitment and Minimum Standards

9 December 2016, Geneva – Human Rights Day marks the 2nd anniversary of the signing of the ECLT Pledge of Commitment and Minimum Standards by 13 companies, which make up a significant portion of the tobacco-growing supply chain, as well as the International Tobacco Growers' Association and the ECLT Foundation.

Progress has been made to take stock of each company’s situation and efforts against child labour in their tobacco-sourcing supply chains. This information can be seen collectively in the ECLT “Pledge Realisation: child labour self assessment outcomes” dashboard.

United Nations Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights

Consistent with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business & Human Rights, the Pledge is a framework for members to align, reinforce and, where necessary, expand current policies and practices in addressing child labour in tobacco growing. The dashboard, which is based on company self assessments, provides a baseline that members are using to develop action plans towards realising the ECLT Pledge of Commitment.

The Pledge responds to the understanding that tobacco growing worldwide will not be free of child labour until the industry can work together effectively at all levels - manufacturers, suppliers, buyers and farmers. It is a sector-wide agreement to uphold robust policy on child labour, conduct due diligence and provide for remediation. Through this common commitment, ECLT members are better positioned to address the complex child labour problem holistically and throughout their respective tobacco-sourcing supply chains.

The ECLT Foundation provides a unique platform for its members to collaborate on pre-competitive issues such as child labour. By providing coordination and tools, like the self-assessment questionnaire and the dashboard of outcomes, the Foundation is able to guide and support the members in their actions to realise the Pledge’s requirements.

ECLT “Pledge realisation: child labour self assessment outcomes” Dashboard

View the dashboard in full-screen mode.

Printer and mobile-friendly PDF of dashboard.

ECLT Pledge of Commitment and Minimum Standards

Learn more about the ECLT Pledge of Commitment and Minimum Standards.