Download a copy of the Child Labour Resource Guide – Appendix 2
(111Kb)

From the UN to business:
codes on corporate social accountability on child labour

Appendix 2 reviews the various codes, guidelines and related standards that companies can observe in relation to corporate social responsibility that cover child labour.

All of the codes are voluntary and represent a minimum level of compliance. Codes vary in scope from a simple assertion of minimum standards to the inclusion of processes of internal monitoring and independent verification, often referred to as “social auditing”. Monitoring and verification procedures are often key to codes being meaningful.

The International Labour Organization (ILO)

Most codes have been influenced by the ILO’s focus on four core labour rights that cover:

1. the right of workers to freedom of association and collective bargaining (FOA-CB)
2. the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour
3. the abolition of child labour
4. the eradication of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.

The minimum age for employment stipulated by most codes is based on the ILO’s Convention No 138 and is generally 15, or occasionally 14 in countries where this has been designated by the government.

The different codes and guidelines mentioning child labour can be categorised according to the groups that issue them, as follows:

• The UN or other inter-governmental organisations, namely the ILO and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
• Individual governments
• Business and business-backed organisations such as the International Organisation of Employers (IOE)
• Multi-stakeholder organisations with independent verification standards e.g. the SA8000 developed by Social Accountability International (SAI) and AccountAbility’s AA1000
• Ethical trading and Fairtrade, particularly the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) and Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO International)
• Trade unions, notably the ICFTU
• Faith-based groups and NGOs