Clean Image, Dirty Reality

In the past it was often presumed that human rights violations happened primarily in offshore manufacturing hubs such as China, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, etc. This framing has shaped how risks were understood and addressed, often overlooking similar challenges closer to home.

This article, which covers a case where 20 Asian workers were asked to pay thousands of Euros in exchange for jobs at a cleaning company* in Finland (other alleged offences include making unlawful threats, arranging illegal immigration, attempted incitement to false testimony and a registration offence), highlights that it is important to avoid assumptions based on geography or reputation.

Human rights risks can and do exist everywhere, so due diligence should be applied consistently rather than selectively. In practice, that means building systems that look at evidence and conditions on the ground, not perceptions about which countries are “safe” or “risky.” 

If you need additional guidance on establishing an effective human rights due diligence program or mapping your supply chain, please feel free to contact me directly at Intertek.

*Note that cleaning companies are often considered particular high risk, as these services are frequently subcontracted and performed outside of regular working hours, where oversight may be more limited and accountability less direct.