Codes of Conduct 

As a brand which prides itself on its positive environmental impact, the wellbeing of the people who make ourclothing is of utmost importance. We select factories based on ethical working conditions and transparency. Our Code of Conduct is based upon Internation ally accepted standards including the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code (ETI) and outlines the minimum standards we require of our suppliers. We accept Sedex Members Ethical TradeAudits (SMETA), Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) and WRAP audits undertaken by 3rd party audit firms or NGOs. In addition, we work closely with our factories to suggest continuous improvements and best practice where we are able. Where issues of non-compliance are identified, we expect suppliers to take immediate steps to address. We visit the factories at least once a year. Below is the code of conduct which our factories have signed:

C O D E O F C O N D U C T 

LAW AND CODE COMPLIANCE

Our suppliers are expected to comply with

all relevant and applicable laws and regulations of the country in which workers are employed including those at the federal, state/provincial and local community levels, as well as our Supplier Workplace Code of Conduct. When differences or conflicts in standards arise between this Code and applicable laws, suppliers are expected to comply with the highest standard that is the most in favour of the employees. 

CHILD LABOR

No person shall be employed under the age of 15 or under the age for completion of compulsory education, whichever is higher. Juvenile workers (ages 15-17) shall not perform work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to compromise their health, safety or morals. (ILO Convention 138 and 182)

FORCED LABOUR

There shall be no use of forced labour, including prison, indentured, bonded, slave or other forms of forced labour. Acts of human trafficking are also prohibited. Suppliers must not retain workers’ IDs or collect deposits at time of hire. Workers must have freedom of movement within their workplace and living quarters.

HARASSMENT, ABUSE AND DISCIPLINARY PRACTICES

Every employee shall be treated with respect and dignity and never subject to any physical, sexual, psychological or verbal harassment or abuse or to monetary fines or embarrassing acts as a disciplinary measure. Workers must be free to raise complaints about workplace conditions without risk of retaliation.

DISCRIMINATION

No person shall be subject to any discrimination in any aspect of the employment, relationship including recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, work assignments, access to training, advancement, discipline, termination or retirement, on the basis of race, religious belief, colour, gender, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification, disability, marital status, political opinion, union affiliation, ethnic group, illness any other classification protected under applicable law. All employment decisions must be made based on the principle of equal employment opportunity, and shall include effective mechanisms to protect migrant, temporary or seasonal workers against any form of discrimination. (ILOConventions 100 and 111)

FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION

Workers have the right to join organizations of their own choice and to bargain collectively. Suppliers shall recognize and respect the right of employees to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Where the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining is restricted by law, effective communication methods must be established between workers and management.

WAGES AND BENEFITS

We seek and favour suppliers who progressively raise employee living standards through improved wage systems, benefits, welfare programs and other services, which exceed legal requirements and enhance quality of life. Every worker has a right to compensation for a regular work week that is sufficient to meet the worker’s and their family’s basic needs and provide some discretionary income. Employers shall pay wages which equal or exceed minimum wage or the appropriate prevailing wage, whichever is higher, comply with all legal requirements on wages, and provide any fringe benefits required by law and/or contract. overtime hours at the rate legally required in the country of manufacture or, in those countries where such laws do not exist, at a rate exceeding the regular hourly compensation rate by at least 125%. 

HOURS OF WORK

Suppliers shall not require workers to work more than the regular and overtime hours allowed by the law of the country where the workers are employed. The regular work week shall not exceed 48 hours or the maximum= allowed by the law of the country of manufacture, whichever is less. Employers shall allow workers at least 24 consecutive hours of rest in every seven-day period. All overtime work shall be consensual. Employers shall not request overtime hours on a regular basis. The sum of regular and overtime hours in a week shall not exceed 60= hours or the maximum allowed by the law of the county of manufacture, whichever is less. (ILO Convention 1)

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Suppliers shall provide a safe and healthy workplace to prevent accidents and injury in the course of work. Supplier housing must also meet these standards. The employer shall take a proactive approach to health and safety by implementing policies, systems and training designed to prevent accidents, injuries and protect worker health. (ILO Convention 155)

ENVIRONMENT

Suppliers must comply with all applicable environmental laws, and must adopt measures and take a progressive approach to mitigate negative impacts of their operations on the environment.

SUBCONTRACTING

Suppliers must not subcontract any part of the manufacturing process without TVGB’s prior written approval.

MONITORING AND TRANSPARENCY 

Suppliers must allow TVGB and any designated 3rd party representatives full access to all facilities (including supplier provided housing) workers and records at all times. They must not falsify records, coach workers in how to answer questions, engage in bribery or mislead TVGB in any way.

INTEGRITY

Suppliers must carry out their business operations in an honest and transparent way. They must comply with all local and international anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws and regulations.