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MSA incidents identified
Has the company identified at least one incident related to modern slavery risks?
1831964
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Researched

About the data

Given the size of the problem and the complex and far-reaching nature of the supply chains of large companies, it is perhaps not surprising that incidents of modern slavery in supply chains can be common. Companies should present an accurate picture rather than seeking to cover up problems. Revealing these incidents in their statements shows business partners and consumers that companies are taking the issue seriously, and have effective risk assessment strategies in place.

For further information on this metric please refer to the Home Office Guidance, pp. 32-36, and CORE Guidance, pp. 22.

Has the company identified at least one incident related to modern slavery risks?

‘Incident’ (violations, non-compliances) is defined as a case study or description of any case of violation of the company policies or local laws involving an individual or group of individuals. Companies can identify different types of violations, ranging from modern slavery cases to other types of incidents, such as health and safety or payment of recruitment fees.

Because definitions of modern slavery vary, incidents described in modern slavery statements (e.g. recruitment fees) do not always qualify as cases of modern slavery or forced labour, even though they are often considered as indicators or risk factors. This is why we are trying to capture the different categories of incidents disclosed by companies. 

Please note, the incident must refer to a specific example, not a general description of risk, which is covered by the metric 'MSA Identification of risks'. 

The answer options are the following: 

  • Modern slavery: cases of forced labour, child labour, state-imposed forced labour. The statement must refer to cases of modern slavery that the company recognizes as such, not to cases in which the company has identified a risk of modern slavery. 

  • Recruitment fees: cases in which workers paid fees to agencies or brokers for recruitment and placement in jobs, abuse of debt, and deposits.

  • Freedom of movement: passport confiscation, restrictions on freedom of movement, confinement at workplace, prohibition of workers association. 

  • Wages and benefits: underpayment, withholding of wages, unpaid overtime, wages under the legal minimum or living wage level. 

  • Working Hours: working hours above the legal maximum, excessive overtime, mandatory overtime. 

  • Working conditions: hazardous/unsafe conditions, health issues caused by work, workplace abuse and harassment.

  • Other incidents: data protection, discrimination, or incidents that are mentioned but not described

 

No: If the company did not identify any incidents, or there is no relevant information in the statement, give them a value of “No”.

 

Nokia

p.13: “In April 2022, Nokia was notified, by a former business partner and employee of a supplier, of an alleged use of child labor and unsafe working practices by a subcontractor supplying services for a project between May and August 2021 in The Philippines. Nokia initiated its investigation process and immediately suspended the supplier from any further projects. Despite our best efforts, the potential victims could not be identified mainly due to the lack of documentation from the supplier. Although the supplier denied the allegations, evidence was gathered including professional medical opinion concerning the likely age of some individuals shown in received photo evidence. In the absence of certainty relating to some of the actual facts and circumstances, Nokia believes it is prudent to conclude that there may well have been a breach of Nokia’s Code of Conduct, and Human Rights Policy, related to the zero tolerance for child or forced labor of any kind in its own or supplier operations. Nokia made the decision to permanently block the supplier in question and any future supplier linked with the owner. For this case a remediation committee was established. As we could not conduct mitigation directly, we took a broader approach to help address one of the root causes for children and young people reaching the informal labor market. This root cause relates to dropping out of the formal education system. We have agreed a two-year program in The Philippines with an NGO partner that aims to strengthen alternative learning systems and ensure that young people complete an educational qualification.”

* Note on choosing the Year of your answer

Read the MSA Statement carefully to find out what year it covers.

When a statement is referring to a Financial Year (FY) ending in Q1 or early Q2, it should be labeled with the previous year. Example:

  • Statement for FY2018/19 ending in April 2019 = 2018
  • Statement for FY2018/19 ending in May 2019 (or later) = 2019
Unpublished
no
Value Type
Multi-Category
Options
Modern slavery
Recruitment fees
Freedom of movement
Wages and benefits
Working Hours
Working conditions
Other incidents
No
Research Policy
Community Assessed
Report Type
Modern Slavery Statement
Steward
Katharine Bryant