Criterion: Forced Labor
Policy prohibiting forced and bonded labor in alignment with ILO C029 and C105, action plans prohibiting debt bondage, retention of documents, recruitment fees, and coercion, with grievance mechanisms.
Full Description
SHR06 Forced Labor
Standard Section: 9.6 Category: Social Human Rights Scheme: Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) Standard Version: 2.0 for Piloting (effective April 30, 2025)
Overview
Policy prohibiting forced and bonded labor in alignment with ILO C029 and C105, action plans prohibiting debt bondage, retention of documents, recruitment fees, and coercion, with grievance mechanisms.
Requirements
The Facility shall:
- 9.6.1 Establish and document a policy that includes a commitment to prohibit forced and bonded labor in alignment with ILO Conventions C029 and C105 and applicable laws where member companies operate.
- 9.6.2 Implement an action plan to prevent and mitigate risks of forced labor, that includes:
- 9.6.2.1 Maintaining valid work permits for all workers;
- 9.6.2.2 Prohibiting the restriction of the freedom of movement of workers in the workplace and dormitories provided by the Facility;
- 9.6.2.3 Prohibiting retention of wages, benefits, valuables or illegal deductions, including under so-called "debt bondage" agreements;
- 9.6.2.4 Prohibiting withholding of original copies of workers' personal documentation;
- 9.6.2.5 Prohibiting any form of deposit, recruitment fee, or equipment advance from workers, either directly or through recruitment agencies;
- 9.6.2.6 Prohibiting the use of physical coercion, abuse, or inhumane treatment practices;
- 9.6.2.7 Establishing requirements for clear and transparent employment agreements; and
- 9.6.2.8 Ensuring all work is voluntary and that workers are allowed to leave work and freely terminate their employment without penalty upon due notice.
- 9.6.3 Ensure all workers, migrant workers, receive their employment agreement in a language understood by the worker prior to the worker departing from his or her country of origin and there shall be no substitution or change(s) allowed in the employment agreement upon arrival in the receiving country unless these changes are made to meet local law and provide equal or better terms.
- 9.6.4 In the event the Facility identifies an occurrence of forced labor within its direct organization, the Facility shall take immediate action to remediate the situation which shall involve the immediate termination of all practices that result in forced labor.
- 9.6.5 Establish a documented procedure to provide for or participate in remedy in the event of a forced labor incident within its direct operations or those of its contractors and suppliers that includes measures for incident investigation.
- 9.6.6 Implement or participate in a grievance mechanism to alert management to the concerns or incidence of forced labor in alignment with Section 6.7.
Source: RMI Facility Standard for Social, Environmental, OHS and Governance Risks, Version 2.0 for Piloting (April 2025), Section 9.6
Profiles using this criterion
Responsible Minerals Assurance Process
Conformity Alignment
Meets
Pass: Yes
Definition: "Facility has a documented policy prohibiting forced and bonded labor (aligned with ILO C029 and C105), has implemented an action plan covering: valid work permits, freedom of movement, prohibition of wage retention and illegal deductions, prohibition of document withholding, prohibition of recruitment fees, prohibition of coercion or physical abuse, transparent employment agreements, and voluntary termination without penalty. Migrant workers receive agreements in their language before departure. Documented remedy procedures exist for forced labor incidents."
Partially Meets
Pass: No
Definition: "Anti-forced labor policy exists but action plan is incomplete: e.g., policy prohibits forced labor but work permits are not verified for all workers, freedom of movement is not explicitly guaranteed in dormitory rules, or recruitment fee prohibitions are not monitored for third-party labor providers."
Remediation: 180 days
Does Not Meet
Pass: No
Definition: "No documented policy prohibiting forced labor, no action plan to prevent forced labor practices, or evidence that forced labor prohibitions are not implemented for any sub-category of workers."
Remediation: 90 days
Priority
Pass: No
Definition: "A Priority finding is raised for: systemic mandatory overtime or coercion to remain in the workplace through debt, delayed wages, harassment, threats, or recruitment fees; retention of worker documents, valuables, or salary; or control over bank accounts to discourage resignation."
Remediation: 30 days
Not Applicable
Pass: Yes
Definition: "This criterion is not applicable to any facility - all facilities must prohibit and actively prevent forced labor."
Not Able To Assess
Pass: No
Definition: "The assessor was unable to access employment agreements, work permit records, wage payment records, or interview workers privately to verify the absence of forced labor practices."
Change Log
1.0.0 (2026-06-24)
Initial release.