Since Alpkit started in 2004, we have been totally committed to providing a fair, safe and healthy workplace that takes responsibility for our actions and entire supply chain including suppliers, factories, mills and farms.
We only partner with people we believe in which means working with suppliers that share our values.
Our code of conduct (Code) sets out our minimum requirements that all suppliers must commit to adhering to as a condition of doing business with Alpkit and a framework of continuous improvement so that every year we get better.
In return we commit to be a good business to work with and build long term business relationships.
This code applies to our entire supply chain including all sub-contractors, mills and farms and all staff including permanent, temporary and agency workers whether paid piece meal, hourly or salaried.
Alpkit monitors compliance against this Code of Conduct and requires full and open access to all facilities where our products are made.
We will develop and improve effective systems and controls to review and monitor compliance with our policy. We make frequent visits by Alpkit employees and use third party confirmation as appropriate.
We discuss the results of our visits with our suppliers and collaborate with suppliers where improvements are needed.
We are committed to adapting and improving practices and work with suppliers to improve sustainability practices and principles.
The code incorporates International Labour Organization principles and internationally accepted fair working practices.
1 LAWFUL BEHAVIOUR
Suppliers shall comply with all legal and regulatory requirements in the countries in which works are employed. This requirement includes the safeguarding of workers’ rights under national and international labour and social security laws and regulations
2 NO CHILD LABOUR
No person shall be employed under the age of 16 or under the age for completion of compulsory education, whichever is higher. Children and young persons under the age of 18 shall not be employed at night or in hazardous conditions. (ILO Convention 138 and 182)
3 NO FORCED LABOUR
There shall not be any use of forced labour, whether in the form of prison labour, indentured labour, bonded labour or other forms of forced labour.
Suppliers are required to monitor any third party entity that helps them recruit employees, to ensure that people seeking employment at their facility are not compelled to work through force, deception, intimidation, coercion or as a punishment for holding or expressing political views.
Workers must not be required to lodge deposits or their identity papers on commencement of employment. Workers must be free to leave their employer after reasonable notice. (ILO Conventions 29, 105, 182)
4 ALLOW WORKER REPRESENTATION
Suppliers shall recognise and respect the right of workers to freedom of association and collective bargaining (such as workers council, union or workers association). Where the right to freedom of association is restricted under law, suppliers must provide workers alternative means of association, including effective means to express and remedy workplace grievances. (ILO Conventions 87, 98 and 135)
5 NO DISCRIMINATION
Workers will be considered for positions on the basis of their qualifications and abilities. Suppliers will not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, age, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, political opinion, social group, or ethnic origin.
All employment decisions must be made based on the principle of equal employment opportunity, and shall include effective mechanisms to protect migrant, temporary or seasonal workers against any form of discrimination. (ILO Conventions 100 and 111)
6 FAIR PAY AND BENEFITS
Every worker has a right to compensation for a regular work week that is sufficient to meet the workers’ basic needs and provide some discretionary income.
Employers shall pay at least the minimum wage or the appropriate prevailing wage, whichever is higher, comply with all legal requirements on wages, and provide any fringe benefits required by law or contract. Where pay does not meet workers’ basic needs and provide some discretionary income, each supplier shall take appropriate actions that seek to progressively realize a level of compensation that does.
7 NO EXCESSIVE WORKING HOURS
Accurate attendance, payroll and production records shall be maintained.
Suppliers shall not require workers to work more than the regular and overtime hours allowed by the law of the country where the workers are employed. The regular work week shall not exceed 48 hours or the maximum allowed by the law of the country of manufacture, whichever is less.
Employers shall allow workers at least 24 consecutive hours of rest in every seven-day period. All overtime work shall be consensual.
Employers shall not request overtime hours on a regular basis.
The sum of regular and overtime hours in a week shall not exceed 60 hours or the maximum allowed by the law of the county of manufacture, whichever is less. (ILO Convention 1)
8 NO HARRASSMENT, BULLYING OR ABUSE
Every employee shall be treated with respect and dignity.
Employee abuse in form of physical, sexual, psychological or verbal harassment is not acceptable and is prohibited.
9 HEALTH AND SAFETY
Suppliers shall provide a safe, clean and hygienic workplace to prevent accidents and injuries whilst at work.
All workers should have access to clean toilets and drinking water.
The employer shall take a proactive approach to health and safety by appointing a senior manager as Health and Safety representative for the company, implementing written policies, systems and training designed to prevent accidents, injuries and protect worker health.
The same standards shall apply to residential facilities, where they are offered. (ILO Convention 155)
10 RESPECT OUR ENVIRONMENT
Suppliers shall comply with all environmental local laws, national laws and our Code and Benchmarks.
Suppliers will adopt credible, proactive measures to monitor and disclose to Alpkit their energy and water use, hazardous and non-hazardous chemical emissions and disposal of waste. Reports must be available for inspection.
Suppliers will identify and implement actions to mitigate negative impacts on the environment.
11 WORK IN THE COMMUNITY
Alpkit encourages suppliers and their workers to engage directly or through partnerships in projects that improve the social wellbeing of employees and their families in the local community.
Alpkit has a long history through the Alpkit Foundation of supporting grass roots direct action projects around the globe.
We seek long term partnerships with suppliers that share these values.
12 TRANSPARENT SUPPLY CHAIN AND SUBCONTRACING
Alpkit does not permit subcontracting without our prior approval.
Suppliers shall be transparent about their supply chains.
Suppliers must maintain a clear system that provides traceability of materials and production leads to better quality and allows Alpkit to assess the social and environmental impacts of our products.
13 TREAT ANIMALS HUMANELY
Suppliers must respect animal welfare and identify and implement actions that further healthy and humane practices towards animals based on best available technology and standards.
14 HIGHEST QUALITY STANDARDS
Quality assurance begins at product design and continues through to the development, production and final delivery of products to Alpkit.
Suppliers shall have procedures and management systems in place that support the consistent delivery of quality products on every Alpkit order.
CONFIDENTIAL GRIEVANCE CHANNEL
If you believe your rights have been violated, please email Alpkit at your.voice@alpkit.com. All communications are confidential.
