Bold Moves

[RichardJensen]

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?A.../611030340/1148

 

A well-researched article documents slave labor and names names.

 

Ford drops the company.

 

Other car makers 're-examine' their contracts, or demand 'proof' that a particular company, dealing in iron produced in part with slave labor, is not sellng them any of it.

 

It's not just about the cars.

 

This is the only auto manufacturer that has in place a global workplace standards policy that is enforced and verified by third party inspections, and they are the only auto manufacturer to stop sourcing from suppliers (on more than one occasion) that violate its workplace standards policies.

[RichardJensen]

When Ford starts inspecting part suppliers in China, I might believe they actually care. This is public relations, nothing more.

Ford has assessed working conditions at more than 200 supplier plants, mostly in China, Central America, Mexico, Russia and Romania. The approach is to assess a sample and train all of the supplier sites in 17 identified emerging market. So far, Ford has discontinued the sourcing process for 10 suppliers for non-compliances or lack of cooperation.

http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=23883

Edited November 7, 2006 by RichardJensen

[RichardJensen]

Good for Ford. I applaud their efforts. Makes you wonder how many companies just turn a blind eye to it.

Too many.

 

Compare the Ford 'Worker's Rights' framework with Toyota's:

 

http://www.ford.com/en/company/about/susta...csHumanCode.htm

http://www.ford.com/en/company/about/susta...sHumanChain.htm

 

Note this: "Alert suppliers that repeated failures to comply may be subject to debits of the suppliers' payables" from the second link.

 

Now look at Toyota's (since they are frequently held up as the bellwether for how a car company should be run)

 

http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/environmental_r...summary/02.html

http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/environmental_r...t06_p49_p55.pdf

 

Try as you might, you will find no code of conduct, nor will you find Toyota requiring suppliers to meet its code, nor will you find Toyota withholding payment to suppliers that do not meet its standards. Nor will you find Toyota ceasing to do business with suppliers that do not meet its standards. Nor will you find descriptions of programs where Toyota is training its suppliers in proper workplace conditions.

 

Toyota has instituted one voluntary supplier training program, with the following emphasis:

 

" The primary focus of the school is to assist core suppliers with the growth and development of their staff with the view to improved productivity levels, enhanced quality products, reduced costs and to stabilize production and supply."

 

Nothing in there about workplace safety or employee rights to collective bargaining, huh?

Edited November 7, 2006 by RichardJensen