Human rights due diligence in transport supply chains is a continuous process.
What does HRDD with the ITF look like in practice?
These steps show how companies can work with the ITF in practice to identify risks, monitor standards, and remedy.
Information sharing
What companies should do
- Companies should consult the ITF on applicable international human rights, including labour standards
- Companies should obtain time-bound data from logistics partners, including lists of contracted shipping ships, routes and IMO numbers
- Companies should share shipping data with the ITF for review
- Confidentially share ship IMO numbers and other related information
How can the ITF support?
- ITF shares applicable international human rights, including labour standards
- ITF provides advice and support in how to approach transport suppliers and stakeholders in to obtain necessary information
RightsCheck
How can the ITF support?
The ITF RightsCheck system combines your information with the ITF’s international agreements and inspection system data to generate a confidential risk assessment of labour standards aboard ships moving your goods.
Dialogue on risks and mitigation
What companies should do
- Companies should initiate a dialogue on the risks and root causes identified by the ITF RightsCheck Team
- Companies should evaluate purchasing practices, tender and supplier policies to make sure they include HRDD risk assessment, prevention and mitigation
How can the ITF support?
- The ITF supports in identifying functions within your company to join the dialogue and mitigation efforts
- The ITF supports by evaluating existing policies and advising how to plug gaps to ensure all elements of management systems and accountability are clearly defined within policies
Remedy
What companies should do
- Companies should integrate ITF recommendations on risk mitigation into internal policies, seeking sign off and accountability at Board Level, and via contractual agreements with freight forwarders, trickled down the procurement chain
- Companies should commit to remediating instances of human rights abuses where identified through the RightsChecks assessment. They should seek guidance and support from the ITF on meaningful stakeholder engagement with a victim-centred approach
- Companies should incorporate RightsChecks to identify harms that need access to remedy, as a continuous monitoring process
How can the ITF support?
- Enhancement of purchasing, tender and supplier policies and practices to identify, prevent and mitigate risks
- The ITF assists with the remedy of harms using its local (ITF inspectors, ITF affiliates) and global (ITF Seafarers Support) mechanisms
- Commitment to undertake regular RightsChecks to ensure ongoing HRDD