Labour performed by children is harmful both mentally, physically and socially, and it denies children of their childhood. It also deprives children of receiving an education, which can help them in getting a decent job that will support them, their future and families.
DK Company A/S recognizes sourcing from countries, where child labour is a significant risk, and this policy communicates our position on child labour and young workers.
This policy applies to all suppliers and business partners of DK Company A/S.
DK Company A/S definition of child labour is based on the definition of International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 138 and 182.
It refers to work carried out by a child or young person younger than the age(s) specified in definitions below:
Definition of a child:
Any person below the age of 15 years, unless local minimum age law stipulates a higher age for work or mandatory schooling, in which case the stricter law shall apply.
Definition of a young worker:
Any worker under the age of 18 years.
DK Company A/S does not accept any form of employment of children below the minimum age described above. This includes full-time and part-time. As a minimum, children must finish their primary education.
Young workers are permitted to perform light work only, which does not encompass working with dangerous chemicals, heavy lifting, or dangerous machinery. Young workers are not allowed to work night shifts.
All suppliers and business partners are expected to commit to this policy and required to have effective procedures in place to ensure above policy is implemented to recognize children’s rights.
This includes:
Effective hiring systems in place to prevent child labour occurring at their premises
Records of age verification must always be available and presented on demand
If a supplier is providing childcare facilities, it must ensure that the children remain in the designated area and never enter production areas
Additionally, suppliers and business partners must take responsibility to ensure that their sub suppliers/-contractors are not involved in employing child labour, and that young workers are not involved in dangerous work or work under difficult conditions.
Our local DK Company Audit & Compliance Teams reserve the right to conduct unannounced onsite visits to verify that child labour does not take place.
If child labour is detected at a facility, DK Company A/S must be informed immediately, i.e. within 24 hours.
DK Company A/S will in cooperation with the supplier find a satisfactory solution, taking into consideration the child´s age, social situation and education. The principle of the best interests of the child must always inform the decision-making, and any measures taken should always aim to improve, not worsen, each child´s situation.
This implies the following:
If a child is to be replaced from unacceptable working conditions, the factory shall continue to pay wages to the child, until legal age for working is reached. If possible, a member of the child´s family or caretaker shall be offered the job position but paid an adult wage. This is to secure a stable private economy of the child and its family.
If the child has finished primary school, the child should be offered education that supports the child’s further development, until it reaches the legal age for working. When the child reaches the legal age for working, the child should be offered the job again on equal workplace terms.
DK Company A/S reserves the right to involve local or international organizations, including nongovernmental organizations etc. with the purpose of securing the child´s future.
Child labour is not tolerated, and we may find it necessary to terminate the business relationship if child labour is confirmed and above procedures are not followed by suppliers, sub-suppliers or business partners. Future cooperation will be considered, if sustainable solutions to secure the child´s wellbeing is well managed.
This statement was approved by the Parent Company DK Company A/S and relates to all the companies in the DK Company Group.