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BSI Standard  
Public Consultation  

Principle 2. Respect Human Rights and Labour Standards
 
2.1
Criterion - To Comply with ILO labour conventions governing child labour, forced labour, discrimination and freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining.
Indicator
Processing & Milling
Agriculture
Verifier
Standard
Notes
Minimum age of workers
Years

18 for hazardous work

15 for non hazardous work

Definition of Child labour in Appendix 1 & Appendix 2 (Convention 138 and C182).As per ILO Art 3 C 138 and C182, the minimum age for admission to any type of employment or work which by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out is likely to jeopardise the health, safety or morals of young persons shall not be less than 18 years (see also art 16, Convention 184 Health and Safety in Agriculture). Work by children on family small holdings is only acceptable under adult supervision and when work does not interfere with the child’s schooling and does not put at risk his or her health.
Absence of forced or compulsory labour
Yes/No
Yes
Forced or compulsory labour as defined per ILO Convention 29 and ILO 105.
The major forms of forced or compulsory labour are defined in Appendix 1. Verification shall address all male and female workers.
Absence of discrimination
Yes/No
Yes
Discrimination as defined by ILO C111 (see full definition in Appendix 1).
Verification to be done by interviewing workers
Respect the right of all personnel to form and join trade unions and/or to bargain collectively in accordance with the law.
Yes/No
Yes
Employers should respect such rights and should not interfere with workers' own efforts to set up representational mechanisms in accordance with the law.
 
 
 
 
 
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2.2
Criterion - To apply BSI human rights and labour standards to suppliers and contractors.
Indicator
Processing & Milling
Agriculture
Verifier
Standard
Notes
Percentage of contractors and major suppliers who have demonstrated compliance with human rights and labour standards
%
95
Labour contractors and major suppliers to the mill and to cane growers shall demonstrate compliance with basic human rights (e.g. no forced labour, no child labour, no discrimination, freedom of association and labour standards, etc.). Effective compliance will be verified by auditors by sampling at mill and farm level. Sampling method based on volume provided by supplier to the mill
 
 
 
 
 
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2.3
Criterion - To provide a safe and healthy working environment in work place operations.
 
Indicator
Processing & Milling
Agriculture
Verifier
Standard
Notes
Lost time accident frequency
1
1
Number per million hours worked
Mill <15; Agric < 45
A lost time accident is defined as an incident involving an employee which causes him to be unable to carry on with his/her normal duties on the next day or next shift due to injury. Where a fatal injury occurs, this to be noted separately
Assessment of the main health and safety risks and measures implemented for mitigation of risk
1
1
Yes/No
Yes
Key health and safety risks to be known and assessment formalized. Assessment to be performed at least once a year. Measures to be taken to either eliminate risk, prevent risk or reduce risk. The recommendations 192 of ILO Convention 184 or national laws if any provide guidance for the list of key potential areas of risks to assess.
Appropriate personal protective equipment supplied to and used by all workers.
1
1
Yes/No
Yes
Regular maintenance and effective use of personal protective equipment.
Training for health and safety.
1
1
%
90
The standard is an average measure, of the % of new employees receiving training, and the % of existing employees getting updated training at least every 5 years (e.g. promotion and participation in health and safety seminars, lectures, campaigns, etc). Employees and workers (including migrant, seasonal and other contract labour) to have basic training in health and safety measures related to their operation upon starting work and then with regular updating. Effective compliance can be verified by sampling.
Availability of sufficient safe drinking water to each worker present on the field and/or mill.
1
1
Yes/No
Yes
Visual check of access to sufficient drinking water especially under high temperature conditions, and of absence of contamination sources near the drinking water source.
Access to first aid and provision for emergency response.
1
1
Yes/No
Yes
Access to first aid and proximity as defined by national legislation or in absence by ILO
 
 
 
 
 
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2.4 Criterion - To provide employees and workers (including migrant, seasonal and other contract labour) with at least the national minimum wage.
Indicator
Processing & Milling
Agriculture
Verifier
Standard
Notes
Ratio of lowest entry level wage including benefits to minimum wage and benefits required by law.
$/$
>=1
Minimum wage as fixed by legal requirement and in the absence of same, ILO C131 can serves as a basis for the definition.
 
 
 
 
 
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2.5
Criterion - To provide clear, equitable and comprehensive contracts.
 
Indicator
Processing & Milling
Agriculture
Verifier
Standard
Notes
Existence of a contract or equivalent document.
%
100
All workers to be provided with a contract or equivalent document (e.g. national working card), to be aware of their rights, and to be paid in a form and at a frequency convenient to them.If not specified by the law the contract shall include at least the following elements: hours of work, overtime payment, notice, holidays, wages, and mode of payment. Payment of wages in conformity with ILO Convention no. 95 and ILO C110.
 
 
 
 
 
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The Better Sugar Cane Initiative is an Associate Member of the ISEAL Alliance.

 

The BSI is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, registered in the United Kingdom
Contact:
  David Willers-General Manager
Better Sugar Cane Initiative (BSI)
20 Pond Square
© Better Sugar Cane Initiative Ltd
bsi.willers@btinternet.com
Natasha Schwarzbach-Communications Manager
London UK N6 6BA P: +44 (0) 208341 0060
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:
  natasha@bettersugarcane.com