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Universal does not employ child labor in any of its facilities worldwide. We actively encourage farmers and suppliers to follow this standard, and we work with communities to increase awareness and further understanding of the importance of this issue. Child labor is a serious concern within all agricultural industries, as it not only jeopardizes children’s health and safety, but also their attainment of education, which has a lasting impact throughout their lives.
It is our goal to promote the protection of a child’s physical, mental, and social development. This goal is promoted through Universal's involvement in worldwide and local child labor programs. These programs seek to make a difference by educating the population about the negative outcomes associated with the use of child labor. Teaching and the distribution of educational materials play major roles in promoting a greater understanding of the issue. Our programs also seek to create partnerships to promote understanding within local populations through schools, community organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
In addition to our internal activities and commitments, Universal is proud to be an active and responsible board member of the Elimination of Child Labor in Tobacco Growing Foundation (ECLT), an international organization that seeks to address the challenge of child labor in tobacco growing areas. The ECLT's objective is "To contribute to the elimination of the use of child labour in the tobacco-growing sector so that children are provided with an upbringing that gives them the best chance in all aspects of life."
The foundation, which was formed in 2001 and is based in Geneva, Switzerland, is comprised of international trade unions, multinational and regional tobacco product manufacturing companies, global leaf tobacco dealers and processors, and tobacco growers. In addition, the ECLT is supported and advised by the International Labor Organization. The ECLT's full membership and supporters include: |
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The International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers Associations (IUF). The IUF is a worldwide federation of trade unions representing workers employed in: agriculture and plantations; the preparation and manufacture of food and beverages; all stages of tobacco processing; hotels, restaurants catering services and the tourism industry. The IUF represents 326 organizations in 118 countries; these organizations represent approximately 10 million workers. |
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The International Tobacco Growers Association (ITGA). The ITGA is an international association for tobacco farmers. It has members in 22 countries, which among them are responsible for growing more than 80% of the world's internationally traded leaf tobacco. |
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The tobacco product manufacturing sector, which is represented by Altadis S.A., British American Tobacco, Gallaher Group PLC, Imperial Tobacco Group PLC, Japan Tobacco Inc., Philip Morris International, Philip Morris USA, and Scandinavian Tobacco Company. |
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The leaf tobacco dealer and processor sector, which, in addition to Universal, is represented by Alliance One International, Inc. and Tribac Leaf Limited. |
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The International Labor Organization (ILO), through its International Program on the Elimination of Child Labor (IPEC) is a supporter of, and an advisor to, the ECLT. The ILO is the United Nations' (UN) specialized agency which seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognized human and labor rights. It was founded in 1919 and is the only surviving major creation of the Treaty of Versailles which brought the League of Nations into being and it became the first specialized agency of the UN in 1946. The IPEC's aim is to work towards the progressive elimination of child labor by strengthening national capacities to address child labor problems, and by creating a worldwide movement to combat it. |
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Additional information about the ECLT can be found on the Foundation’s internet site, www.eclt.org. |
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