Improving Supplier Capabilities
Acer offers information and training regarding the latest trends and developments in social and environmental responsibility, thus helping improve their ability to confront the challenge of sustainable development. We continue to invite suppliers to participate in the Acer CSR Forum, supplier CSR communication meetings, and CDP Pre-Launch and Launch Event, helping them get access to the latest information on social and environmental responsibility. This also presents opportunities for suppliers to engage in two-way communication with Acer senior management or relevant experts. In 2013, we placed a focus on Chinese labor management issues, carrying out surveys of particular suppliers regarding employee communication training and student labor management.
Employee Communication Training
With the shortage of labor in China intensifying, insufficient manpower is the greatest challenge faced by many Chinese suppliers, and one of the main factors in worker turnover is inadequate communication channels and abilities. To assist suppliers in communicating effectively with workers, we require particular suppliers to participate in communication training. Through this, we enable the suppliers to understand communication systems and improve their own, as well as encouraging effective handling of communication with workers, facilitating the discovery of worker problems and their resolution.
Management of Student Workers
To ease labor pressure, some suppliers in China employ young workers, student workers, or interns to meet production needs in their factories. Compliance with laws and regulations, rejection of child labor, and the provision of special protections for young workers, student workers and interns are the most fundamental requirements Acer has of our supply chain.
However, management of student labor involves not only management of manufacturing, but also the planning of student internships, pre-employment training, plant management, and working closely with schools. In December 2013, we and selected suppliers participated in an EICC/Labor Education and Service Network (LESN)/Nanjing University survey of student labor. The goal of this was to explore the problems facing student labor in China and find optimal approaches for our suppliers. In 2014, we will discuss the results and suggestions that came out of this project, and we will continue to expand student internship opportunities within our supply chain.