We are committed to developing a broader culture of human rights in the communities around our
operations and among those with whom we conduct business.
Our employees, suppliers, contractors, service providers and representatives are also required to uphold
the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights, including freedom of association and effective
recognition of the right to collective bargaining; elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
abolition of child labour; elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation;
promoting environmental responsibility, working against corruption in all its forms, and providing a safe
working environment for employees.
In response to growing international focus on combating forced labour and child labour, Illovo published
its guidelines on Child labour and Forced Labour (available on our website at
. In
these guidelines, Illovo recognises the distinction drawn by the International Labour Organisation
between child labour and child work. It is aware that the social and economic circumstances in some
countries are such that the economic unit is the family as a whole and that circumstances dictate that
everyone in the household makes some contribution to the economic activity. Therefore, in relation to
family and smallholder farms, it is acknowledged that light work may be carried out by children under the
age of 15 years, but Illovo accepts this situation only on condition that they do not handle hazardous
tools and/or chemicals or perform physically dangerous tasks and that such work does not interfere with
their education or physical, emotional or psychological wellbeing. In its own factory and agricultural
operations, Illovo does not allow the employment of children under the age of 18.
As part of our long term commitment to embedding respect for human rights, ethical conduct and
sustainable development in our supply chain, during the year, we commenced a phased process to
collect information from Illovo’s top ten non-cane suppliers, by procurement value, relative to their
adherence to the principles contained in our Code of Conduct and Business Ethics.
All businesses providing goods and services to the group are required to conduct periodic assessments
to monitor environmental, social and human rights risks and impacts in relation to their own operations,
as well as those of their own suppliers. In particular, these assessments must be carried out prior to
embarking on any new business or expansion projects.
Illovo reserves the right to verify supplier compliance with its Code of Conduct and Business Ethics.
Where a review or audit demonstrates any shortcomings, or if Illovo becomes aware of any act or
omission in breach of our Code of Conduct and Business Ethics, we reserve the right either to request
that corrective actions be taken or to terminate the agreement with the supplier concerned.
In the future, we intend to extend this process to our providers of sugar cane and to introduce
independent verification of supplier practices by external practitioners.