Learn more about Vale’s Measures to Fight Against Child Labor

The World Day Against Child Labor is held annually on June 12 to raise awareness on the illegal practice that poses challenges to all countries and economic industries. Vale does not tolerate this practice and takes rigorous measures to make sure that it does not occur among its direct and third-party employees as well as suppliers.

The company requires, through contractual clauses, that its suppliers do not allow this type of work and encourages them to support initiatives and campaigns on the prohibition of this practice. Non-Compliance with these clauses implies an immediate contract termination. In addition, the company promotes awareness actions on eradicating child labor and complying with the rights of children and adolescents.

At the end of 2019, Vale joined two institutions that work to guarantee compliance with the rights of children and adolescents – the Brazilian Institute for the National Pact to Eradicate Slave Labor (InPACTO, Instituto Pacto Nacional pela Erradicação do Trabalho Escravo) and Childhood Brasil, a Brazilian organization that is part of the World Childhood Foundation to protect children and adolescents against sexual abuse. The company also has a policy that prohibits the hiring of individuals that are under 18 years old, except for the Young Apprentice program, as provided for in Brazilian legislation, for administrative functions and non-operational areas.

These and other actions reflect the company’s values, which are widely disseminated through its Policy, Human Rights Guide, and Suppliers’ Code of Conduct. Vale also encourages anyone who suspects or identifies child labor in the company or its supply chain to report it to the Ethics and Conduct Office.

About Child Labor

Despite the great progress that has been made to identify the risk factors for its occurrence and take measures to eradicate it globally, one in 10 children and adolescents will be victims of forced labor worldwide according to the International Labour Organization (ILO).

Child labor is any activity that hinders a child’s or adolescent’s access to school, violates their right to live in family, friends, and society or their right to adequate rest and sleep. Child labor also includes any activity that affects a child’s or adolescent’s physical, mental, moral, or social development. Simple activities to help parents or guardians, and that help learning and development of children and adolescents, are not prohibited.

Aiming to respect the rights of children and adolescents as well as provide them with opportunities for applied learning, training, experience, and generation of income, many countries develop programs to regulate and promote work for young people, such as the Young Apprentice program in Brazil.