Chapter 3: Our people and our value chain
We promote human dignity and respect human rights
The Nestlé way
Respect for human rights is one of our most longstanding and fundamental values. From the farmer who grows the crop, to the workers in our supply chains, to our colleagues, consumers, and customers, and everyone we affect in between, we are working toward a just transition that better enables people to support themselves and their families.
We respect and promote human rights across our value chain in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles and the Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. We seek to maintain dialogue with stakeholders about our efforts to mitigate and remedy harms, with a focus on vulnerable groups. We expect our suppliers and business partners to uphold similar standards and manage risks throughout their value chains.
Our priority human rights issues
- Child labor and access to education
- Forced labor and responsible recruitment
- Living income and living wage
- Gender equity, non-discrimination and non-harassment
- Safety and health at work
- Freedom of association and collective bargaining
- Right to water and sanitation
- Indigenous people and local communities’ land rights
- Data protection and privacy
- Right to food and access to nutritious, affordable and adequate diets
How we live it, every day
- Familiarize yourself with our commitments to human rights as described in Nestlé’s Human Rights Policy, Framework and Roadmap.
- Adopt a human rights lens to your work activities and decisions. Be mindful of the working conditions of people you encounter inside and outside the company, and how business decisions made in your part of the business may impact people and communities.
- Identify any human rights risks and policies that may apply to your work activities, especially when considering new suppliers, products, business processes or partnerships.
Putting our Code to the test
Q. During a visit to a supplier, I noticed several workers who look surprisingly young. They may be underage. What should I do?
A. Child labor is a serious concern. If you suspect something is not right at one of our suppliers, customers or business partners, seek guidance from your people manager or Legal and Compliance, or report it through Speak Up. Each of us must do our part to uphold human rights at Nestlé and ensure everyone across our value chain is treated with dignity and respect.
