A report regrets based on a study from the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) alleges that Canadian brands and retailers have scant knowledge of child labor risks in their global supply chains.
The study involving 10 Canadian garment brands confirmed that child labor use in the global supply chain is rare but the transparency in this regard is limited. CORE has asked the government to approve Bill S-211 (the proposed law on forced labour) from the parliament. The proposed law requires reporting on workers’ rights issues at each level of production in the supply chain. The study was launched in December 2021 by Ombudsperson Sheri Meyerhoffer.
With the study now complete, Meyerhoffer has arranged a webinar on 13th February in which she will act as moderator to examine the results. It will also look at the extent to which Canadian garment companies currently identify and address supply chain risks of child labour.
The webinar would have a panel of four experts who would discuss whether the study results reflect the perspectives and experiences of companies in other countries. The issues of human rights and due diligence in this regard would also come under discussion. It will include transparency in supply chains, child labor remediation, and prudent use of social audits.
World Vision Canada’s largest global relief, development, and advocacy organization have expressed concern on the Chain Risk Report 2023 alleging Canadian brand’s import of apparel made with forced and child labour has jumped by 67 percent in the last ten years.
