British American Tobacco is collaborating with two trade associations to launch a global project combating child labour in tobacco production. The International Tobacco Growers’ Association and the International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers Associations are supporting the project launched at a conference in Nairobi on October 8 – 9. Contact BAT on 020 7845 2888 (http://www.bat.com)
Underage working in UK
A study by Abbey National, issued on October 5, shows that over two million children aged 10 to 16 balance school work with part-time work, with as many as two-thirds of these doing so illegally. The project aims to inform employers about the legalities of employing child-workers and provides parents with a free advice leaflet. Contact Abbey National on 020 7612 4979 (http://www.abbeynational.plc.uk)
Developing countries address labour rights
A quarter of the International Labour Organisation’s 175 member states have now ratified a convention outlawing the worst forms of child labour. Under Convention No.182, in force from November 19, the ILO is proceeding with sanctions against Burma after the military junta refused to halt use of compulsory labour. China, the subject of intense criticism by human rights’ activists in recent years, demonstrated evidence of progress on human rights on November 20 when it committed to an agreement with UN Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, to review certain abuses, including its use of forced labour camps. Contact ILO on 00 41 22 799 7940 (http://www.ilo.org)
Retailers commit to labour rights
JJB Sports and Boots are to adopt codes of conduct covering overseas labour standards. Their decision was announced on November 29 at the annual conference of the Local Authority Pension Fund Forum, which controls £45 billion in assets. LAPFF now wants two other major retailers, WH Smith and Signet, to follow suit. Contact Stuart Bell, LAPFF, on 020 7247 2323 (http://www.lapfforum.org)
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