Workers

alliance for grievance mechanisms

in supply chains

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introduction

workers and
other rights holders

Everyone is a rights holder, also you!

Learn how appellando can assist you, where to file a complaint, and which issues you can address.

who is a rightsholder?

Everyone in the world is entitled to the same human rights. We at appellando are particularly concerned about your human rights as a worker on a farm or in a packhouse that supplies to any of the appellando alliance supporters and retailers. We also care when you live in communities near these farming and packing facilities within our supply chains, and these enterprises impact your rights.

If your rights are violated or threatened, or if you witness someone else in such a situation and directly seeking help from the company is no option, you can use the appellando grievance mechanism system to file a complaint and seek for resolution. appellando helplines are designed to provide a structured process for free, anonymous, confidential, transparent and trustworthy problem handling and remediation.

workers

how do I raise a complaint

First check whether you can address your complaint directly to an internal contact person in the company (farmer or packhouse), such as a person appointed to complaints or the employment (HR) department, an employee representative (spokesperson) or a trade union.

If not, look for an information like a poster or sign with the appellando name and logo at your workplace. File your complaint to the appellando helpline using the contact details given there or contact a local civil society organization supporting appellando.

The contacted appellando helpline operator will request detailed information about your complaint, assist you in navigating through the case including your rights, review the case independently, and ensure an adequate investigation and effective remediation where justified. The operator will follow up with you until you agree that the complaint is resolved.

Following the resolution of your case, we will seek your feedback on your experience to enhance our systems and procedures.

workers

what can I complain about?

As a worker you have the right and the opportunity to complain about your employer if you experience, are threatened by or observe certain situations affecting yourself or coworkers.

If you do not work for the company yourself, but live nearby, for example, and observe environmental risks from the company that violate or threaten to violate your rights, you can also submit a complaint to the appellando helpline.
See the list of violations that you can complain about:

Child labor and inadequate protection of young workers
Slavery, forced / bonded labor, human trafficking
Precarious employments, economic or sexual exploitation, humiliation
Disregard for occupational health and safety and work-related health hazards
Unreasonable working hours and overtime
Disregarding the rights of freedom of association and collective bargaining
Discrimination such as unequal treatment in employment; including unfair/unequal pay for work
Withholding adequate living wage / minimum wage or pay in general
Operation in the environment that might affect health of workers or other stakeholders (e.g. residents) by environmental pollution, violation of land & water rights
Accommodation provided by the employer with housing conditions with inadequate hygiene conditions, water supply
Use of private or public security forces to protect the company, which act in an unlawful / inappropriate manner, such as inhumane treatment / torture, dehumanization, injury to life and limb or violation of the right to freedom of association

workers

where do I find more information?

Companies participating in appellando are obliged to post helpline information about appellando. Your employer is committed to informing you about your rights and the complaint process. Inquiring with your spokesperson can also give you the necessary information. Start looking for stickers or posters with the appellando logo at your workplace and at the entrance to the company premises and check their links.

If the company is not an appellando partner, you should check if there are other complaint channels available. Additionally, reaching out to, NGOs or worker unions can provide you with information about your rights and how you can claim your rights.

workers

how can I support
this initiative?

Pay attention to your surroundings and your colleagues. If you see something wrong, speak up.

Find out if your workplace handles complaints openly. Many issues can already be solved through direct dialogue. Share resources with your coworkers and talk to your trade or worker union representatives and other organizations you trust.