No Child Labour Policy

POLICY STATEMENT

Rio Nuevo Chocolate (The Company) does not accept child labour and works actively against it in support of the United Nations (U.N.) Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Minimum Age Convention no. 138 (1973) and ILO Convention on the Worst Forms of Child Labour no. 182 (1999). Rio Nuevo Chocolate is against all forms of child exploitation in any of the locations of its global partners. Rio Nuevo Chocolate respects different cultures and values in countries where Rio Nuevo Chocolate sources its products, but does not compromise on the basic requirements regarding the Rights of the Child.

 

 

GENERAL PRINCIPLE

Child labour is a violation of a human right and it is recognised and defined by international instruments. 

Forms of child labour are considered but not limited to: any form of slavery (debt bondage, forced and compulsory labour.); the use, procuring or offering of a child for illicit activities; work that is likely to harm the health of the child. 

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IMPLEMENTATION

All actions to avoid child labour shall be implemented by taking the child’s best interests into account. 

Employment contracts and other records will document all relevant details of the employees, including age, and they shall be open to verification by any authorised personnel or relevant statutory body. 

Rio Nuevo Chocolate requires that all partners shall recognise the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child, and that the suppliers shall comply with all relevant national and international laws, regulations and provisions applicable in the country of operation in this regard. 

 

PREVENTION 

Rio Nuevo Chocolate shall develop awareness and understanding of the causes and consequences of child labour in all its partners locations, farms and facilities. 

 

REPORTING CHILD LABOUR

All Rio Nuevo Chocolate staff members are encouraged to report any case of non-compliance with the policy. The employees should be aware that they have a moral and ethical duty to report such instances and should not fear retaliation. 

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MONITORING 

All suppliers are obliged to keep Rio Nuevo Chocolate informed at all times about all places of production/work sites. 

 

REMEDIATION

Violations of the No Child Labour policy may lead to disciplinary action up to, and including, termination of partnership. Disciplinary process will be undertaken in accordance with all applicable local laws and other legal requirements. Rio Nuevo Chocolate shall take immediate and effective measures to prevent and eliminate any form of child labour.