Human Rights
Forced or Compulsory 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 forced 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 “Forced or Compulsory Labor” a critical issue to be addressed?
Explanation of the reason and background
At the Yokohama Rubber Group, we comply with action guidelines that emphasize respecting human rights both inside and outside of the company and creating safe and healthy workplaces, and for this reason forced or compulsory labor, including forced or compulsory labor in the supply chain, is also prohibited in the CSR Procurement Guidelines.
In addition, taking into account the risk of illegal labor being forced upon people who work at plants, business locations, and suppliers as we expand production and sales overseas, we have selected forced or compulsory labor as a critical issue to be addressed.
The Yokohama Rubber Group has seen an increase in the number of human rights-related complaints due to the diversification of workers at its domestic offices and subsidiaries. Due to the diversification of workers and ways of working, we recognize the importance of having a point of contact for direct consultation on "harassment in the workplace," whether in Japan or overseas.
In addition, taking into account the risk of illegal labor being forced upon people who work at plants, business locations, and suppliers as we expand production and sales overseas, we have selected forced or compulsory labor as a critical issue to be addressed.
The Yokohama Rubber Group has seen an increase in the number of human rights-related complaints due to the diversification of workers at its domestic offices and subsidiaries. Due to the diversification of workers and ways of working, we recognize the importance of having a point of contact for direct consultation on "harassment in the workplace," whether in Japan or overseas.
Vision (attainment goal) / target
We will maintain to achieve zero forced or compulsory labor at all of the Group’s primary suppliers of natural rubber, including overseas suppliers.
Promote the introduction of a global whistleblower system to raise the level of compliance across the Group.
We collate case studies of problems that have been experienced in the Group in the past, and we have put in place a system so that employees can learn from these case studies at important milestones in their careers, such as when being given new assignments or being promoted.
Promote the introduction of a global whistleblower system to raise the level of compliance across the Group.
We collate case studies of problems that have been experienced in the Group in the past, and we have put in place a system so that employees can learn from these case studies at important milestones in their careers, such as when being given new assignments or being promoted.
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 participating in the Sustainable Natural Rubber Initiative (SNR-i) being launched by the International Rubber Study Group. The Company is also a member of the Tire Industry Project (TIP) led by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
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 forced labor etc. in the supply chain.
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 forced labor etc. in the supply chain.
Review of FY 2021 Activities
Identification of the presence or otherwise of forced or compulsory 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 forced 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 forced 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 forced labor.
Countermeasures to eradicate forced or compulsory labor
We formulated its Procurement Policy for the Sustainable Natural Rubber and announced a policy of prohibiting forced 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 forced labor etc. in the supply chain.
Response to complaints
There were no reports or consultations about forced 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.