Victoria’s Secret & Co. recognizes that migrant workers (excluding executives, management, office staff, technical experts, etc.)  are most at risk of human trafficking and forced labor. To protect the rights of migrant workers, we have implemented a strict policy to closely monitor any production location hiring migrant workers. The policy includes an executive approval process and is contingent upon positive results found during a specialized audit developed in accordance with the International Labour Organization’s handbook on Combating Forced Labour.

We are committed to eliminating the practice of migrant workers paying recruitment fees to secure their employment. VS&Co follows the Dhaka Principles for Migration with Dignity to enhance respect for the rights of migrant workers. If a factory must use a recruitment agency, they must disclose the name of the agency to our auditors. All the relevant rights listed below must be given to all workers recruited through the agency:

• No worker should pay for their job or right to work, and no recruitment fees or related costs should be charged to, or otherwise borne by, workers. The supplier must also cover the costs of the migrant workers’ return home.
• Workers must retain control of their personal and travel documents such as passports and employment contracts.
• All workers must have freedom of movement.
• Recruitment should take place in a way that respects and protects human rights.
• Workers must be hired through ethically compliant recruitment agencies and must have a formal policy and due-diligence process in place for vetting recruitment agencies they use.
• The terms and conditions of employment should be through written contracts and should be clear, transparent and in a language that the worker can understand.
• Workers should have access to grievance mechanisms.
• Workers should have access to information regarding their rights.
• Workers should have healthy and safe living and working conditions.

Consistent with Victoria’s Secret & Co.detailed risk analysis of new factories, we will only engage with factories that are fully meeting our compliance standards and policies, or, are willing to adhere to our standards prior to an order being placed and comply with the Employer Pays Principle.

At VS&Co, we prohibit the use of forced, prison, indentured, bonded and slave labor, as well as labor obtained through human trafficking in our business operations and supply chain. According to the ILO, “forced labor” can be understood as “work that is performed involuntarily and under the menace of penalty.” Human trafficking and slave labor are also forms of forced labor. 

We have a shared commitment with our supplier partners to eliminate risks associated with all types of forced labor. We conduct audits, perform risk assessments, execute training and monitor factories and continually engage with suppliers to establish expectations and accountability. We also have a comprehensive remediation program in place that is enhanced as needed in the event major violations occur.
 

Consistent with VS&Co detailed risk analysis of new factories, we will only engage with factories that are fully meeting our compliance standards and policies, are willing to adhere to our standards prior to an order being placed and comply with the Employer Pays Principle.