Altria’s companies do not condone the unlawful employment of children in the workplace, nor do we condone forced labor. Our companies promote these objectives within their supply chains by:
 | - establishing specific contract terms and conditions related to child and forced labor, and
- discussing our expectations on these issues and requiring that suppliers accept responsibility for their labor practices.
Additionally, Altria’s tobacco companies: - conduct social compliance audits in high-risk regions for key goods and services, and
- work with others to address the systemic issues of child labor through the Elimination of Child Labor in Tobacco (ECLT) foundation.
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SETTING EXPECTIONS
Within the U.S., states have differing laws regarding the employment of minors in tobacco production. Domestic tobacco growers must comply with the applicable state minimum age requirement. In addition, the U.S. Secretary of Labor has declared that certain agricultural occupations are hazardous and cannot be performed by minors under 16 years of age. Our contracts, however, provide that domestic tobacco growers may not assign anyone under 18 years of age to work in these occupations.
All other suppliers, including international tobacco suppliers, must comply with the minimum age requirements prescribed by applicable laws or the International Labor Conventions, whichever are higher, unless a specific contract contains stricter age requirements.
MONITORING AND ASSESSMENTS
Altria’s tobacco companies require third-party audits of suppliers providing packaging and product materials who operate in certain high-risk regions. They also require third-party audits of international factories that produce custom consumer incentive items.In addition, Philip Morris USA and John Middleton use third-party firms to conduct audits of the overseas processing facilities of their tobacco suppliers.
Although these audits focus on child and forced labor, they address other workplace practices, such as worker compensation, workplace safety, worker registration, management of employee records and environmental practices.
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates’ supplier contracts require compliance with all applicable laws, including those addressing child and forced labor. Ste. Michelle does not, however, necessarily audit to evaluate supplier compliance with company standards for human trafficking and slavery. The company also does not require its direct suppliers to certify that materials incorporated into the supplier’s product comply with the laws regarding slavery and human trafficking in the country or countries in which they do business.
Based on a range of factors including risk evaluation, Ste. Michelle conducts periodic supplier reviews, announced assessments and on-farm visits. Moreover, Ste. Michelle is working to improve standards and requirements with trade organizations, including the Washington Growers League, which are well positioned to take a leadership role on viticulture farm labor issues.
WORKING WITH OTHERS
In addition, Altria's tobacco companies are members of the Geneva-based Eliminating Child Labor in Tobacco Foundation (ECLT). Philip Morris USA helped found this organization which brings together businesses, growers and labor representatives for the purpose of ending the inappropriate use of child labor in tobacco growing.
