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Child labor
Child Labor
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Bayer CropScience does not tolerate child labor. Our zero tolerance policy also applies to our supply chain. This is especially needed in countries where child labor is still wide spread and e.g. a common practice in contract seed production on small-holder farms in India. Here we have developed a multi-layered Child Care Program that successfully demonstrates that cotton seed production is possible without using child labor. Based on this concept we keep minimizing the risk of child labor in our seed supply chain through continuous awareness programs and risk-based monitoring. Where necessary, we take corrective action to systematically eliminate the occurrence of child labor in the field. |
Bayer CropScience’s contribution to eradicate child labor
The “Bayer CropScience Child Care Program”1 in India demonstrates that the fields in our cotton seed production can well be worked profitably without children. Local farmers are now willing to send their children to school instead the fields. This has been made possible through our successful multi-layered program which offers a win-win solution for all: our contract farmers achieve a higher income through better training and increased productivity, child laborers get access to school education, and Bayer CropScience can buy more seed of higher quality from the farmers in our supply chain.
With its peer companies in the CropLife International association Bayer CropScience shares a common view of the need to eradicate child labor in our seed supply chains. This has been laid down in the federation’s position paper “CropLife Position on Child Labor in the Seed Supply Chain”.2
As a responsible corporate citizen and a founding member of the United Nation's Global Compact Bayer CropScience is highly committed to provide its share in the fight against child labor within its sphere of influence. Our Human Rights Position3 is a binding management regulation that clearly states our “zero tolerance” to child labor.
However, the challenge of child labor globally can only be solved by a joint effort of all involved: governments, civil society and the private sector companies. Therefore, Bayer CropScience entertains an open dialog with many stakeholders from all parts of society which share a genuine interest in constructive interaction and goal-oriented cooperation to help effectively address this global challenge.
Child Labor - a widespread phenomena globally
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reports that an estimated 158 million children aged between 5 and 14 years are engaged in child labor today. That is one in six children globally.4
The reasons for child labor in the agricultural sector are manifold. Poverty, the easier management of children, children being more suitable for the filigree work of hand pollination at labor intense crops, a poor school infrastructure, and a lack of adult workforce due to urbanization are listed amongst the causes for child labor. Also it should not be under-estimated that child labor is deeply rooted in many societies. It has a long tradition and often is part of people’s world of thought as a matter of course.
Child labor is mentally, physically, socially and morally harmful. It deprives children of the opportunity to attend school. They will not get the chance to obtain a better education, the basis to achieve a higher living standard later in life.
In order to further develop a society, it is a prerequisite to abandon child labor.
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