Human Rights
Child Labor
KPI
Responsible Departments
Stance and Target
Review of FY 2021 Activities
Issues and Future Improvement Measures
KPI
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| Item | FY 2020 results | FY 2021 results |
|---|---|---|
| Businesses specified as being exposed to child labor risks (manufacturing plants, etc.) and the number of suppliers | (Consolidated) 0 (Upstream) 0 |
(Consolidated) 0 (Upstream) 0 |
Responsible Departments
Raw Materials Procurement Department and Indirect Materials Procurement Department, Global Procurement Division
Corporate Compliance Department, Global HR Department
Stance and Target
Why is “Child Labor” a critical issue to be addressed?
Explanation of the reason and background
At the Yokohama Rubber Group, we comply with the action guidelines of respecting human rights both inside and outside of the company, and for this reason child labor, including child labor in the supply chain, is also prohibited in the CSR Procurement Guidelines. Meanwhile, as the Group procures natural rubber mainly through trading companies and because the probability of child labor is believed to be highest at the procurement stage, we also request surveys on the current state of production areas. While there have been no reports of cases of child labor at the current stage, it cannot really be said with certainty that they will not occur in the future when considering the situation in regions surrounding production areas for raw materials where rubber plantations are located. In consideration of the fact that natural rubber is the main raw material of tire and industrial products that are the core products of the Group, we believe that child labor should be recognized as a risk associated with our growth strategy, and accordingly we have selected it as a critical issue to be addressed.
Vision (attainment goal) / target
We will maintain for zero child labor at all of the Group’s primary suppliers of natural rubber, including overseas suppliers.
Measures for vision achievement
Along with population growth and increased mobility on a global level, demand for tires and natural rubber that is the main raw material for tires is constantly growing. Meanwhile, there are concerns such as illegal deforestation and land exploitation, human rights violations, and the adverse impact on biodiversity in areas where natural rubber is produced. To help resolve these problems, Yokohama Rubber is also a founding member of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber (GPSNR), initiated by the Tire Industry Project (TIP) of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). In addition, Yokohama Rubber formulated its Procurement Policy for the Sustainable Natural Rubber and announced a policy of prohibiting child labor.
For products other than natural rubber, we have completely revised our CSR Procurement Guidelines in 2019 to strongly appeal to our suppliers to protect human rights and prohibit child labor etc. in the supply chain.
For products other than natural rubber, we have completely revised our CSR Procurement Guidelines in 2019 to strongly appeal to our suppliers to protect human rights and prohibit child labor etc. in the supply chain.
Review of FY 2021 Activities
Identification of the presence or otherwise of child labor at the Yokohama Rubber Group and in the supply chain
With regard to domestic raw material suppliers, we have conducted a survey of labor conditions using a self-diagnostic checklist and confirmed that there are no cases of child labor.
In regard to suppliers of natural rubber, we have begun surveying some natural rubber farmers in Thailand in 2019 and confirmed that there were no cases of child labor.
In regard to suppliers of natural rubber, we have begun surveying some natural rubber farmers in Thailand in 2019 and confirmed that there were no cases of child labor.
Countermeasures to eradicate child labor
We formulated its Procurement Policy for the Sustainable Natural Rubber and announced a policy of prohibiting child labor. For products other than natural rubber, we also plan to completely revise our CSR procurement guidelines in 2022, and will strongly appeal to our suppliers to protect human rights and prohibit child labor etc. in the supply chain.
Response to complaints
There were no reports or consultations about child labor among those accepted by the hotline and the General Counseling Room in 2021.
Issues and Future
Improvement Measures
In the future, we will be aiming to further expand our efforts in this area to cover overseas suppliers, by issuing English-language versions of the CSR procurement guidelines and self-assessment sheets. And will be implementing CSR-related measures such as providing support for rubber farmers.
