Annually, Electrolux tracks areas that pose challenges to upholding high standards in human rights such as protecting freedom of association, the abolition of child labor and forced and compulsory labor. The Group maps its operations and suppliers against geographical areas deemed sensitive by external sources such as Transparency International and Amnesty International because of their weak legislation or poor enforcement of existing laws. At present, Electrolux is placing particular focus on operations in China and Mexico and some Eastern European countries.
The Group also notes types of operations that are vulnerable to breaches and environmental practices.
As a result of this assessment, Electrolux focuses on Workplace Standard training, performance monitoring and third-party assurance on compliance to the Workplace Code of Conduct, as well as policies on ethics and the environment for operations and suppliers that lie in risk areas. In 2010, nine Workplace Standard training sessions were held; three in Hungary, three in Poland and one session each in Mexico, Brazil and Romania. At year-end, Electrolux operated 20 (21) plants in Southeast Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Electrolux will also take over operations of a factory in the Ukraine in 2011.
Freedom of association
Freedom of Association In those regions where worker associations are not possible because of national praxis, each Unit and suppliers are expected to find appropriate and legal mechanisms through which workers can effectively express workplace concerns to management. Records are to be kept from these formalized consultations and be made available upon request. See also the management approach disclosure for labor practices, under the category labor and management relations.
Child labor in the supply chain
Issues relating to under-aged labor (below 15 years) are not more prevalent than in the last year and is primarily an issue in Asia/Pacific. The majority of cases recorded relate to insufficient protection of authorized minors (16-18 years). In Asia Pacific, 24 (24) cases of under-aged workers were uncovered.