Company are committed to uphold the human rights of workers, and to treat them with dignity and respect as understood by the international community. This applies to all workers including temporary, migrant, student, contract, direct employees, and any other type of worker. The recognized standards, below, were used as references in preparing the Code and may be a useful source of additional information.

The labour standards are:

8.1 Freely Chosen Employment

Forced, bonded (including debt bondage) or indentured labour, involuntary prison labour, slavery or trafficking of persons shall not be used. This includes transporting, harbouring, recruiting, transferring or receiving persons by means of threat, force, coercion, abduction or fraud for labour or services. There shall be no unreasonable restrictions on workers’ freedom of movement in the facility in addition to unreasonable restrictions on entering or exiting company-provided facilities. As part of the hiring process, workers will be provided with a written employment agreement that contains a description of terms and conditions of employment prior to the worker departing from his or her country of origin. All work must be voluntary and workers shall be free to leave work at any time or terminate their employment. Employers and agents may not hold or otherwise destroy, conceal, confiscate or deny access by employees to employees’ identity or immigration documents, such as government-issued identification, passports or work permits, unless the holding of work permits or government issued document is required by law or agreed by the employee.

8.2 Child and Young Workers

Child labour is not to be used in any stage of manufacturing. The term “child” refers to any person under the age of 16, or under the age for completing compulsory education, or under the minimum age for employment in the country, whichever is greatest. The use of legitimate workplace learning programs, which comply with all laws and regulations, is supported. Workers under the age of 18

(Young Workers) shall not perform work that is likely to jeopardize their health or safety, including night shifts and overtime. Company shall ensure proper management of student workers through proper maintenance of student records, rigorous due diligence of educational partners, and protection of students’ rights in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Company shall provide appropriate support and training to all student workers. In the absence of local law, the wage rate for student workers, interns and apprentices shall be at least the same wage rate as other entry-level workers performing equal or similar tasks.

8.3 Non-Discrimination

Company should be committed to a workforce free of harassment and unlawful discrimination. Companies shall not engage in discrimination based on race, colour, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ethnicity or national origin, disability, pregnancy, religion, political affiliation, union membership, covered veteran status, protected genetic information or marital status in hiring and employment practices such as wages, promotions, rewards, and access to training. Workers shall be provided with reasonable accommodation for compulsory religious practices. In addition, workers or potential workers should not be subjected to medical tests or physical exams that could be used in a discriminatory way.

8.4 Working hours, benefits and wages

The Company shall adhere to the strictest applicable laws and/or industry standards relating to wages, working hours, overtime and benefits. Employees shall not be required to work more than 48 hours a week. Overtime shall be voluntary, and to adhere to the maximum allowed under applicable laws and regulations), be remunerated at a higher rate than the hourly rate and shall be paid in legal tender on a regular basis.

8.5 Paid Leave

The Company shall grant all employees the right to sick leave and annual holiday, as well as parental leave for relevant employees with a new born or newly adopted child, as provided by applicable legislation. Employees who take parental leave shall not face dismissal or threat of dismissal and shall be able to return to their former employment at the same rate of pay and with the same benefits.

8.6 Employee contracts

The Company shall provide all employees with a written, understandable and legally binding labour contract. Provisions for non-permanent and seasonal employees shall be no less favourable than those applicable to permanent workers.

8.7 Freedom of Association

In conformance with local law, the Company respects the right of all workers to form and join trade unions of their own choosing, to bargain collectively and to engage in peaceful assembly as well as respect the right of workers to refrain from such activities. Workers and/or their representatives shall be able to openly communicate and share ideas and concerns with management regarding working conditions and management practices without fear of discrimination, reprisal, intimidation or harassment.