What Is An Ethical Sourcing Policy?

As our societies are developing, and getting aware of new issues, which were never disclosed before, everyday through media, and internet, more and more retailers and brands are demanding ethical sourcing policy by their suppliers for the labours of the goods being sold under their umbrella.

Ethical sourcing policy makes sure that the products or goods are not made by forced, prison, or bonded labours. Child labour, i.e. younger than 16years, is also not acceptable by them. Sourcing policy also includes that proper wages are paid to the worker, which are according to the set industry standards of the country in which, the outsourcing must be done, and there should be fair wages according to the work they have done.

Furthermore, the suppliers cannot deduct the wages on other measure like disciplinary measures. The suppliers cannot take work of more than 48hours a week, and if in case they do, then overtime wages must be paid to the labourers.

It is also a part of ethical sourcing policy of some retailers that they bound their suppliers to avoid any sort of discrimination when hiring their workers. They are asked to hire workers without any sort of discrimination regarding their caste, religion, national origin, gender, or age. These suppliers must also take care of the working environment, and provide maximum protection to their workers at the workplace. Some even demand their suppliers to provide regular safety, and health training to their workers as well.

As people are getting aware, more, and more consumers are demanding of the ethically sourced products, and only buy those products, which satisfy them, for instance, body shop is one of such brands. This awareness is highest in countries like USA, UK, Germany, Switzerland, etc.

They have drawn their ethical sourcing polices for this purpose, and because of the mounting pressure from their consumers; they have forced to bind their suppliers to make it certain that they are providing them ethically sourced goods. Some retailers are even making the most of the latest technology ensuring that they are offering ethically sourced goods to their suppliers.

Consumers demand their retailers for ethically sourced goods, which have now been supported by different governments, and organisations working with an agenda to improve the working conditions of the poor. It happened some years ago, that some footage was shot, and aired on media, and serious campaign started against the suppliers from the third world countries.

Media showing the true conditions and images instigated the consumers to respond, and they now demand ethically sourced products. Due to this change in the demand, brands, and retailers have to make their ethical sourcing policy whether they like it or not.

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