Prohibition of Child and Forced Labour

The foundation of ITC's 'No Child or Forced Labour policy' is based on the Company's commitment to find practical, meaningful and culturally appropriate responses to support the elimination of such labour practices. It thus endorses the need for appropriate initiatives to progressively eliminate these abuses.

Policy: ITC does not employ any person below the age of eighteen years at the workplace. ITC prohibits the use of forced or compulsory labour at all its units. No employee is made to work against his/her will or work as bonded/forced labour, or subject to corporal punishment or coercion of any type related to work.

Implementation: This policy is publicly available throughout the Company and clearly communicated to all employees in a manner in which it can be understood through induction programmes, policy manuals and intranet portals. The workers are informed of these rights by the trade unions active at each unit.

The implementation of the policy is the responsibility of the Unit's HR Department and the security staff who do not permit minors to enter the factory as workers.

Employment contracts and other records, documenting all relevant details of the employees, including age, are maintained at all units and are open to verification by any authorised personnel or relevant statutory body.

The unit provides an annual report on all reported, if any, incidents of child or forced labour to the functional head.

Monitoring & Audit: Corporate Internal Audit and EHS departments undertake audit and assessment annually. Corporate Human Resources undertakes random checks of records annually.

Compliance during 2005-06: During 2005-06 no incidents of child or forced labour were reported either to the concerned units or statutory authorities.