1. Employment is Freely Chosen
CODE
1.1 There is no forced, bonded or involuntary prison labour.
1.2 Workers are not required to lodge “deposits” or their identity papers with their employer and are
free to leave their employer after reasonable notice.
CURRENT SYSTEMS AND EVIDENCE EXAMINED
The auditor checks and reports on the processes used to manage labour standards at the site in this
area of 'Employment is Freely Chosen'.
Auditors examine policies and written procedures in conjunction with relevant managers, to understand and
record what controls and processes are currently in place to manage employment is freely chosen.
In this section the auditor also checks whether the site knows and is up to date with, relevant local law, the ETI
Base Code and the standards required e.g.
How are workers recruited – record details in this section – are Agencies/Labour providers used and if
so are they local or in another region/country.
Does the site check on the hiring procedures of any Labour Agents used. Are they aware of any
deposits paid by workers for their jobs, either at the site or at their place of origin (this should be
confirmed by worker interview).
How does a worker resign and what notice is required.
Is there a loan fund and how is it managed.
Does the site have a policy on e.g. the use of prison labour.
Do they have a system for checking that no worker’s original papers are withheld e.g. Passports or ID’s
either by the site or any of its labour agents.
In countries where it is a legal requirement to retain the papers of e.g. country migrant workers, can
workers access their papers if required.
Is there any documentary evidence of these practices and if so what are they. The auditor should
record the details in this section.
See below for more detailed information.