Labor Policy

Alps Alpine North America, Inc. (Alpine) recognizes the devastating effects of forced labor and human trafficking on society and prohibits any such form throughout our wholesale trade operations as part of our corporate social responsibility and commitment to legal compliance.

The International Labor Organization (ILO) defines forced labor as involuntary work or service demanded from a person under threat or penalty, which includes penal sanctions and the loss of rights and privileges. It can also be a means of political coercion or as punishment for holding or expressing political views.

Forced or compulsory labor is virtually globally banned. The ILO's 1930 Forced Labor Convention (No. 29) as well as the 1957 Abolition of Forced Labor Convention (No. 105) are the most widely endorsed of all international labor conventions.

For more information, see: http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/forced-labour/lang--en/index.htm and http://www.ilo.org/sapfl/Events/ILOevents/lang--en/WCMS_092176/index.htm

The United Nations General Assembly resolution 55/25 of 15 November 2000 defines Trafficking in Persons as:

The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation. Exploitation shall include . . . the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs.

For more information, see http://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/what-is-human-trafficking.html#What_is_Human_Trafficking

Alpine has a Standard Policy and Procedure that requires compliance with all laws and corporate policies, which includes this policy against Forced Labor and Human Trafficking. All employees are required to acknowledge their commitment to understand and comply with the Compliance Management Policy and Procedure. Employees also receive training on policy compliance.

As a condition to doing business with Alpine, our suppliers must agree to adopt policies and practices that support the eradication of Forced Labor and Human Trafficking, including execution of Alpine's Supplier Certification of Social Responsibility.

Alpine also has the right to make periodic, unannounced inspections of our suppliers' facilities and the facilities of our suppliers' contractors and business partners. Such inspections may include an audit and review of financial books and records.

Alpine has a dispute resolution process for employees to utilize in the event of any policy violation that includes the option of making an anonymous complaint. Employees receive periodic training on how to resolve disputes and address non-compliance of policies.

Alpine works closely with its suppliers to correct any breaches of its Certification of Social Responsibility. Alpine's suppliers that breach the Certification will be properly informed and if not in compliance, further action will be taken including but not limited to termination of their supply agreement.