Mattel adopts code of conduct
(ITFLWF Newsletter n.1 1998)
Mattel has recognised that kids young enough to play with Barbie dolls are not old enough to make them. The world's largest toy company is the latest multinational to set a code of conduct for its suppliers. Mattel says it will be the first company to permit global independent monitoring of its own facilities and those of its suppliers. An academic specialising in corporate ethics will be forming a autonomous commission to devise Mattel's monitoring plan.
Mattel's new code prohibits the employment of workers under 16 years of age (an age requirement two years older than the US apparel industry standard of 14) and says that workers must be paid the minimum legal wage "or a wage that meets local industry standards, whichever is greater".
Mattel said a six-month audit of its global operations failed to show any violations of these basic principles, but said it was terminating its relationship with three contractors - one in Indonesia for its inability to confirm the ages of their employees, and two in China for refusing to meet safety standards. Another ten contractors were told to improve conditions or face termination.
