Today we released our first benchmark findings report on the efforts of Information and Communications Technology companies to mitigate forced labor in their supply chains.
While the benchmark found that the ICT sector is showing some commitment and action, the overall scores make it clear there is still far more to be done. Of the 20 global ICT companies evaluated in seven categories, the average score was 39 out of a possible 100 points.
Eighteen of the 20 companies have a public commitment to addressing forced labor, showing that they recognize the importance of the issue, but far fewer have the policies and practices in place to do so.
The major area for improvement identified in the benchmark is worker voice (average score of 16/100). The ICT sector needs to enable workers at the lowest levels of the supply chain to communicate their concerns.
In addition to worker voice, companies were evaluated on: commitment and governance, traceability and risk assessment, purchasing practices, recruitment, monitoring, and remedy.
The benchmark also highlights specific areas of improvement for companies and identifies best practices so that companies can adopt standards and practices that protect workers’ well-being.