Ahold Delhaize USA said Tuesday that it has become a member of the Responsible Labor Initiative, an international organization that helps companies respond to human rights issues in their supply chains.
The grocery company, which runs supermarket banners including The Giant Company, Hannaford and Food Lion, is joining the RLI as a member of a work group that concentrates on human rights risks in global food and beverage supply chains.
Ahold Delhaize USA said that being part of the RLI will give it access to resources that will help it deal with challenges involving its suppliers’ workforces, including grievance mechanisms, risk-assessment tools and audit programs.
According to its website, the RLI strives to protect people at risk of being forced to work for companies in global supply chains. The organization leverages the collective influence of its members and other stakeholders to change how suppliers recruit workers to reduce the chances that they will use forced labor.
“Responsible labor practices are fundamental to building sustainable, resilient and transparent supply chains,” Mark Eastham, sustainable products manager for Ahold Delhaize USA, said in a statement. “By joining the RLI, we’re working to enhance our ability to identify risks, collaborate with peers and support the safe and fair treatment of workers across our supply chain.”
Other grocery industry companies that are members of the RLI include Walmart and Costco. The organization is part of the Responsible Business Alliance, which includes companies that are part of sectors including the consumer goods, retail, and food and beverage industries.
