ABOUT US

AGRICULTURAL LABOR PRACTICES

At Godfrey Phillips India, we recognize the crucial role that our farmers play in our economic, environmental, and social impact. With this belief firmly in mind, we are collaborating with numerous farmers in the Vinukonda region of Andhra Pradesh to support and establish sustainable tobacco farming practices.

To achieve this goal, we have implemented a comprehensive program called Agricultural Labor Practices (ALP), which seeks to enhance labor practices and progressively eradicate child labor on all the farms from which we source burley tobacco. We have communicated stringent standards and expectations to all our farmers, and we have allocated extensive resources to monitor farm conditions, provide practical solutions to problematic practices, and implement Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for the benefit of our farmers.

Stringent standards and expectations have been communicated to all farmers, and extensive resources have been directed towards monitoring conditions on farms, bringing practical solutions to problematic practices and implementing GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) for the farmers.

The following 7 principles of the ALP Code help us achieve a safe and fair working environment for all:

  • Child Labor: There is no employment or recruitment of child labor. The minimum age for admission to work is not less than the age for the completion of compulsory schooling, is not less than 15 years or the minimum age provided by the country’s laws, whichever affords greater protection.
  • Fair Treatment: There is no physical abuse, the threat of physical abuse or intimidation of workers and farmers. There is no tolerance for sexual abuse of women workers. There is no discrimination on the basis of race, caste, religion, colour, gender, political affiliation, union membership such as worker representative, ethnicity, disability, citizenship or nationality and pregnancy.
  • Forced Labor: All farm labor is voluntary. Workers do not work under bond, debt or threat, no identity documents or wages are held back, and they receive wages directly from the employer.
  • Safe Working Conditions: The workers are provided a safe and sanitary working environment, and all reasonable measures are undertaken to prevent accidents, injury and exposure to health risks. Protective equipment for handling crop protection agents/pesticides, awareness on tobacco plant related sickness (GTS), access to safe drinking water and toilets fall under this principle.
  • Freedom of Association: Workers and farmers are free to join or form organizations and unions of their own choosing, and to bargain collectively.
  • Compliance with the Law: The Country’s employment laws are complied with and all workers are informed of their legal rights and the conditions of their employment when they start to work.
  • Income & Work Hours: Wages of all workers meet, at a minimum, the requirements of the country’s laws or agricultural benchmark standards. The work hours are in compliance with the country’s laws.

Our internal system is deeply rooted in these principles. We have a diverse team for implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Agricultural Labor Practices (ALP) program's effectiveness. Moreover, we have partnered with an NGO to help us create a positive social impact through ALP.

To ensure high awareness of the ALP principles, we conduct extensive training sessions for field technicians, farmers, and workers. We also distribute pamphlets to constantly remind farmers and workers of the code.

To support the education of children, we have created an After School Program that provides them with nutritious snacks and engages them in various recreational activities like yoga, traditional dance forms, and sports. This program allows parents to leave their children in a safe environment while they work on farms.

We ensure that farmers provide a secure and hygienic working environment and take measures to prevent accidents, injuries, and exposure to health risks. We also inform all workers of their legal rights and employment conditions when they start working with us.

Furthermore, we have undertaken afforestation efforts to help farmers generate additional income.