Foreword
Human rights
Working to protect human rights
Fighting on behalf of chartered human rights around the world is a part of Bayer’s corporate policy. This is not just established in our code of conduct: We also emphasize this claim through our membership in the Global Compact and the formal recognition by Bayer AG’s Board of Management of the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Companies and the International Labor Organization’s Tripartite Declaration of Principles on Multinational Companies and Social Policy.
India: Project developed for protection against child labor
In India, where child labor is still a widespread social phenomenon, Bayer CropScience has developed a project for protection and support of children. In its contracts with the suppliers of cotton seed, Bayer’s Indian subsidiary Proagro specifies that child labor will not be tolerated and companies will be penalized for violations.
At the same time, Bayer CropScience wants to ensure that children receive a school education. Proagro has therefore signed a cooperation agreement with the Indian organization Naandi Foundation, which possesses a wealth of experience in the area of schooling in rural areas. By the beginning of 2006, Naandi had already established 29 Creative Learning Centers (CLC) where children who previously worked in the agriculture sector and other areas are prepared for a school education. By the end of March 2006, 700 children were enrolled in preparatory schools. Proagro also supports continuing education for teachers at public schools in these villages and provides teaching materials for scientific curricula, among other resources.
Although Proagro occupies only a two percent share of the Indian cotton seed market, Indian associations, international institutions such as the International Labor Organization (ILO), governmental agencies and the media regard the program of Bayer CropScience in Andhra Pradesh as a pioneering initiative. This program also includes measures that the government of Andhra Pradesh now recommends in the fight against child labor.
In addition to the contractual prohibition of child labor, the program contains the following elements:
Brazil: Cooperation with the Abrinq Foundation
In Brazil, too, Bayer works on behalf of children’s rights. By cooperating with the Abrinq Foundation for Children’s Rights, Bayer HealthCare’s Consumer Care Division nine years ago succeeded in selecting only suppliers who prohibit child labor. Since 2002, the entire organization of Brazilian subsidiary Bayer SA. has borne the Foundation’s logo as a “child-friendly company.”
India: Project developed for protection against child labor
In India, where child labor is still a widespread social phenomenon, Bayer CropScience has developed a project for protection and support of children. In its contracts with the suppliers of cotton seed, Bayer’s Indian subsidiary Proagro specifies that child labor will not be tolerated and companies will be penalized for violations.
At the same time, Bayer CropScience wants to ensure that children receive a school education. Proagro has therefore signed a cooperation agreement with the Indian organization Naandi Foundation, which possesses a wealth of experience in the area of schooling in rural areas. By the beginning of 2006, Naandi had already established 29 Creative Learning Centers (CLC) where children who previously worked in the agriculture sector and other areas are prepared for a school education. By the end of March 2006, 700 children were enrolled in preparatory schools. Proagro also supports continuing education for teachers at public schools in these villages and provides teaching materials for scientific curricula, among other resources.
Although Proagro occupies only a two percent share of the Indian cotton seed market, Indian associations, international institutions such as the International Labor Organization (ILO), governmental agencies and the media regard the program of Bayer CropScience in Andhra Pradesh as a pioneering initiative. This program also includes measures that the government of Andhra Pradesh now recommends in the fight against child labor.
In addition to the contractual prohibition of child labor, the program contains the following elements:
- Economic aid with a micro-credit program for Indian farmers. Through Bayer loan guarantees, they receive access to low-interest bank loans and are thus protected from the extortionate interest rates of private lenders.
- Intensive education programs for social groups. As everyone must become involved in child protection, Proagro’s child protection project is focused on model villages.
- Close cooperation with national and international organizations on the issue of child protection.
- Support for children through the school program. We aim to further expand our work with preparatory schools.
Brazil: Cooperation with the Abrinq Foundation
In Brazil, too, Bayer works on behalf of children’s rights. By cooperating with the Abrinq Foundation for Children’s Rights, Bayer HealthCare’s Consumer Care Division nine years ago succeeded in selecting only suppliers who prohibit child labor. Since 2002, the entire organization of Brazilian subsidiary Bayer SA. has borne the Foundation’s logo as a “child-friendly company.”
Bookmark this page
E-mail this page
Advanced Search
