A key part of the code is age verification. In order to avoid any allegations that they are using underage workers in hazardous jobs, some companies (some Pakistan-based textile producers are an example) have made it a policy not to hire anyone under the age of 21. This is distressing because it effectively cuts off opportunities for youth who have reached the minimum age of employment to enter the industry. Whereas a sounder policy is to verify a young applicant’s age through reputable documents or, where none exist, through expert witness or event recall, and place them in low risk tasks until they reach 18 years.
Those producing on a “just in time” basis for the international market are subject to pressures to produce faster and cheaper which often leads to basic occupational safety and health rules and good labour practices being overridden. Employers may want to establish policies and strategies that would enable them to resist these pressures, particularly as it relates to young workers. Some countries have enacted special policies for apprentices and those undertaking a work experience scheme. These require that the young person be given adequate health and safety training before starting work and that the training should explain the hazards of the job and precautions to be observed as well as the young person’s duty to cooperate and what they are entitled to expect from their employer and others.
Training materials for rural areas
Agriculture has witnessed some of the best examples of employer leadership in addressing hazardous work of youth. Some of the large industry associations have been involved: cocoa, tobacco, sugar, tea and coffee, as well as more localized industries, such as flower production and palm-oil and rubber plantations. Given that rural agriculture is still the largest form of employment in the world, it is desirable wherever possible to maintain children of legal employment age in agriculture, but in decent non-exploitative conditions.
Employers in the plantation sector in Indonesia were instrumental in the development of a manual, Improving safety, health, and working conditions in plantations. A practical guide for the plantation sector, for workers, family members of the workers, supervisors, management, employers and people living in the neighbourhood of plantations was produced. It was developed using the findings of OSH studies on rubber, tobacco and palm-oil plantations in Indonesia, where those directly involved in formal and informal plantations (mostly adult workers) were interviewed to understand their experiences, perspectives and needs.
The manual provides ideas about possible steps to improve safety, health and the work environment in the plantation sector and to eventually make the plantations free of child labour entirely. Basic principles of OSH are presented with illustrations of simple, inexpensive and yet effective actions that can improve workplace conditions in a relatively short period. Throughout the manual, issues relevant to child labour are emphasized. For example, in the discussion of chemicals it states that children under 18 years old must not