�. POLICY STATEMENT
1.1 H2O Logistics Limited (“H2O”) acknowledges the fact that child labour occurs in many
countries. H2O condemns child labour in any form. The complexity of the child labour issue
requires a consistent, long-term effort to create sustainable and broad-based solutions in order to
reach our goal; that no products or services delivered to H2O involve child labour.
1.2 H2O respects different cultures and values in countries where H2O operates and sources its
products but does not compromise on the basic requirements regarding the rights of children.
1.3 H2O Child Labour Policy has been established in order to make H2O position clear to
suppliers and their co-workers, as well as any other parties. The requirements in this code of
conduct are mandatory to all suppliers and their subcontractors.
�. GENERAL PRINCIPLE
2.1 H2O does not accept child labour. We support the United Nations (U.N.) Convention on the
Rights of the Child (1989). This child labour policy is based on this Convention.
2.2 This policy is based on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Minimum Age
Convention no. 138 (1973). According to this convention, the word “Child” is defined as any
person below fifteen (15) years of age, unless local minimum age law stipulates a higher age for
work or mandatory schooling, in which case the higher age would apply. If, however, the local
minimum working age is set at fourteen (14) years of age in accordance with exceptions for
developing countries, the lower age will apply.
2.3 This Policy also incorporates the ILO Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour no. 182
(1999).
�. IMPLEMENTATION
3.1 All actions to avoid child labour shall be implemented by taking the child’s best interests into
account. H2O requires that all suppliers shall recognise the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the
Child, and that the suppliers comply with all relevant national and international laws,
regulations, and provisions applicable in the country the work takes place.
3.2 Suppliers are obliged to take the appropriate measures to ensure that no child labour occurs
at suppliers’ and their sub-contractors’ places of work.
3.3 If child labour is found in any place of work, H2O will require the supplier to implement a
corrective action plan. If corrective action is not implemented within the agreed timeframe, or if
repeated violations occur, H2O will terminate all business with the supplier concerned. The
corrective action plan shall take the child’s best interests into consideration, i.e. family and social
situation, and level of education. Care shall be taken not merely to move child labour from one
supplier’s workplace to another, and facilitate more viable and sustainable alternatives for the
child’s development.
3.4 The supplier shall effectively communicate to all its sub-contractors, as well as to its own co-
workers, the content of H2O Child Labour Policy, and ensure that all measures required are
implemented accordingly.
�. YOUNG WORKERS
4.1 H2O supports the legal employment of young workers, where appropriate and where
supported by its clients relevant policies.
4.2 Young workers of legal working age have, until the age of 18, the right to be protected from
any type of employment or work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried
out, is likely to jeopardise their health, safety or morals.
4.3 H2O therefore requires all its suppliers to ensure that young workers are treated according to
the law; this includes measures to avoid hazardous jobs, night shifts and ensure minimum wages.
Limits for working hours and overtime should be set with special consideration to the workers’
young age.
�. LABOUR FORCE REGISTER
5.1 The supplier shall maintain documentation for every worker verifying the worker’s date of
birth. In countries where such official documents are not available, the supplier must use
appropriate assessment methods as per local practice and law.
�. MONITORING
6.1 All suppliers are obliged to keep H2O informed at all times about all places of work (including
their subcontractors). Any undisclosed places of work found would constitute a violation of this
code of conduct.
6.2 Through the General Purchasing Conditions for the supply of services H2O, H2O has
reserved the right to make unannounced visits at any time to all places where services are
provided (including their subcontractors). H2O furthermore reserves the right to assign, at its
sole discretion, an independent third party to conduct inspections in order to ensure compliance
with H2O Remediation.
6.3 If child labour is found in the supply chains of H2O it will seek to work in partnership with the
supplier and appropriately qualified organisations to develop a responsible solution that is in the
best long-term interests of the children. The supplier and H2O will agree a corrective action plan,
which may comprise the following actions:
6.3.1 Collate a list of all potential child labourers and young workers;
6.3.2 Seek advice and help from a recognised local non-governmental organisation that deals
with child labour or the welfare of children[1];
6.3.3 Develop a remediation plan that secures the children’s education and protects their
economic well-being, in consultation with H2O and where possible a local NGO, and in
consultation with and respecting the views of the child;
6.3.4 Explain the legal requirements and restrictions on working ages to the children and assure
them that, if they wish, they will be employed when they reach working age;
6.3.5 Understand the children’s desires and explore the opportunities for them to re-enter
education;
6.3.6 Whether the child contributes to the livelihoods of their family or they are self-dependent,
his or her wage should continue be paid until they reach working age, or until an alternative long-
term solution has been agreed with the child and their family (for example employment of an
unemployed adult family member in place of the child labourer);
6.3.7 Ensure that the child worker has adequate accommodation and living conditions;
6.3.8 Document all actions; and
6.3.9 Develop processes to prevent recurrence.
6.4 Do not:
6.4.1 Expel any of the suspected or confirmed child labourers and/or young workers;
6.4.2 Threaten the children or their families or hamper the progress of investigation and
remediation; and
6.4.3 Conceal or falsify any documentation.
6.5 Such actions will be considered by H2O as evidence that the supplier is not committed to
child labour remediation, in breach of this Child Labour Policy.
[1] Save the Children (http://www.savethechildren.net/) has produced guidance on how to carry
out interviews with child workers, and has contacts with local NGOs, with local knowledge and
expertise in child labour issues, in many sourcing countries.