preventing child labour

IKEA does not accept child labour
Child labour does exist in countries where IKEA products are manufactured, but IKEA does not accept child labour at its suppliers or their sub-contractors. IKEA works actively to prevent child labour.

in the best interests of the child
IKEA bases its work on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), which defines the basic principle of always putting the best interests of the child first. The work IKEA does in this regard is also based on the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention number 138 (1973) concerning minimum working ages, and the ILO Convention number 182 (1999) concerning the worst forms of child labour.

IKEA Group Children's Ombudsman
The IKEA Group Children's Ombudsman is responsible for ensuring that IKEA maintains a clear focus on the best interests of the child, and that its work complies with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). In day-to-day business, the IKEA trading service offices are responsible for working on the prevention of child labour.

The IKEA Way on Preventing Child Labour
IKEA has a special code of conduct called The IKEA Way on Preventing Child Labour, which is a part of The IKEA Way on Purchasing Home Furnishing Products. Monitoring of compliance to The IKEA Way on Preventing Child Labour is done by IKEA trading service offices and with unannounced visits by KPMG at suppliers and sub-contractors in South Asia.

what happens if a child is found?
If child labour is found, IKEA requires the supplier to act in the best interests of the child. The supplier must implement a corrective and preventive action plan, including education and training. IKEA visits the school the child attends and makes unannounced visits to the supplier. If corrective action is not made within an agreed time frame, or if further violations occur, IKEA terminates all business with the supplier.

improving children's rights in India
The IKEA Social Initiative supports a project, run by UNICEF, promoting children's rights in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, from where IKEA sources many of its carpets. The aim is to prevent and eliminate child labour in the carpet belt by addressing root causes such as debt, poverty, lack of access to education disability and ill health.
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partnerships
The complexity of the child labour issue requires input and influence from many parties. By co-operating closely with international organisations such as UNICEF and Save the Children, the IKEA Social Initiative strives to create the broad-based support structure necessary to tackle the root causes of child labour and achieve a sustainable solution.
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related documents
The IKEA Way on Preventing Child Labour

related links
United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
ILO Convention number 138 (1973)
ILO Convention number 182 (1999)