Reference no: EM133257457
It has been brought to our attention that one of our suppliers, based out of India, has a labor force including staff members under the age of 16. While this work is entirely legal within local legislation, our mission as a business is to source the best quality bananas from suppliers with fair treatment for their workers, offering an ethical choice to our consumers. Supply chains which involve persons considered a minor in the US could be considered within the realm of child labor.
As Tropical Banana Company has established ties with a number of suppliers where the entire work force is composed of persons aged 18 and older, and as the company was founded on procuring quality bananas with a workforce motivated through ethical consumer choices, it is the decision of the Joint Chief Operating Officers that we will sever ties with the supplier. We choose this because we want to ensure our bananas meet both high quality and ethical standards, and we will not risk the reputation that we have already established with our consumers.
WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS IN THIS STITUATION.
How will the public react (media, customers, investors, etc.) if they know you have a bunch of children working with your supplier?
How will quality and prices be affected from your decision?
What if your factory hires children so they can make money to provide for their family, buy an education, and stay off the streets and away from gangs?
What are your responsibilities to your customers, investors, and other stakeholders?
Do other major companies use foreign labor? Do other major companies have strict policies against foreign labor?