Our review of all high-risk supplier audits raised 14 issues of non-compliance related to the SMETA audit section
‘freely chosen employment’. 8 of these issues relate to the lack of a formal policy at the supplier’s facility, 3 relate
to wage deductions for staying in employment, 1 issue related to lack of evaluation systems in place to ensure
compliance with laws on slavery and human trafficking, 1 relates to unreasonable delay in payments due to
workers when they leave, and one relates to passports/ID papers of foreign workers kept by employer.
We have followed up with the relevant suppliers with corrective action plans. At the time of writing, 13 of these
issues of non-compliance had been verified as closed.