ALDI responds to Four Corners report
In a statement ALDI Australia said the company takes all allegations of misconduct by their suppliers seriously.
"Currently, ALDI is not aware of any exploited labour allegations facing our
suppliers and is concerned by this information. If ALDI is notified of any issues
within the supply chain, we will investigate immediately.
"ALDI Australia supports the principle of a strong and sustainable grocery industry
for suppliers, retailers and their employees. Over the course of the year we
engage with more than 1,000 suppliers, the majority of whom are Australian and
have enjoyed growth and success as we have expanded."
The recent decision to sign up to the Government’s Food and Grocery Code reflects
ALDI’s dedication to Australian suppliers and our commitment to sustainable
supplier relationships, which includes working with them to ensure the highest
levels of workplace standards.
ALDI Australia conducts its operations with the highest level of professional and
ethical standards. ALDI has strict Terms and Conditions of Business for suppliers
which outline expectations in the areas of compliance, including appropriate
compensation and working conditions. Should any suppliers be found to be in
breach of our supplier standards and Terms and Conditions, we would act swiftly
to investigate and address the situation thoroughly. If necessary, ALDI has the
right to suspend contracts that do not meet these obligations.
As part of our supplier contracts, all suppliers in Australia commit to a Code of
Conduct on social compliance covering key areas such as elimination of
discrimination, Occupational Health & Safety and prohibition of child and forced
labour. This is a contractual obligation that ALDI holds all of its suppliers to and
expects they treat their employees with respect and meet their obligations under
the law. These Terms and Conditions are based on International Guidelines,
including:
• Wages paid for regular working hours, overtime hours and overtime
differentials shall meet or exceed legal minimums or industry standards
whichever is more stringent. ALDI Stores does not accept illegal,
unauthorised or disciplinary deductions from wages.
• All ALDI Stores business partners have to comply with applicable national
laws, industry standards and the ILO conventions regarding working
hours
• ALDI Stores expects its business partners to establish and follow a clear set
of regulations and procedures regarding occupational health and safety.
Workplace practice and conditions which violate basic human rights are
not tolerated.
• ALDI Stores does not tolerate child labour as defined by ILO and United
Nations Conventions and/or by national law and expects its business
partners to adhere to the one standard which is most stringent
• ALDI Stores will not tolerate any form of forced labour and related
practices, such as lodging deposits or the retention of identity documents
from personnel upon commencing employment. The use of corporal
punishment, mental or physical coercion and verbal abuse is forbidden.
• ALDI Stores expects its business partners to ensure that work performed
for them is carried out on the basis of recognised legal employment
relationship
• ALDI stores expect our business partners to have defined and
implemented a policy for social accountability. A management system
must be established to ensure these standards will be achieved.
ALDI’s long-held practice with suppliers involves forging long term, sustainable
relationships and working closely in partnership to provide Australian shoppers
with the best quality products at competitive prices. We have a strong
commitment to sustainable relationships with our suppliers and since opening in
Australia in 2001 have been instrumental in providing economic security for
many Australian food suppliers and manufacturers.
Additionally, ALDI has a Social Monitoring Program to further ensure social
compliance and continuous improvement of the existing working conditions
within the facilities manufacturing the goods we sell.
As the first Australian Supermarket member of the Suppliers Ethical Data
Exchange (Sedex), ALDI also benefits from a range of market leading reporting
and risk analysis tools. These tools help identify and report on areas of high risk in
the supply chain including labour standards, health and safety, the environment
and business ethics, enabling staff and suppliers to take the necessary steps to
address potential issues.