Inclusion of Young Workers in IKEA’s Supply Chain Phase II

Following the success of the pilot programme in 2018 in which 88 young workers were hired in five Vietnamese factories, IKEA Purchasing & Logistics Southeast Asia committed to continuing the programme again between 2019 and 2020, and also scaling it up in Indonesia. 

Five IKEA Purchasing & Logistics Southeast Asia suppliers hired 77 young workers in the second phase in Vietnam. All of these workers were out of school and couldn’t continue with their studies because of financial pressure. As part of this programme, the young workers received 260 hours of soft-skill training and 168 hours of technical training. Subjects covered in these trainings included financial literacy, basic computer skills, gender-based violence, health, career development, on-the-job technical training and more. 

Key achievements at a glance:

• 59 non-hazardous positions for young workers were identified in the factories in Vietnam

• 63 young workers under 18-year-old were provided with special protective measures, such as working hours not exceeding 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week (no overtime), no night shifts

• 87% of participating young workers believe the job paves the way towards better professional development

• 87% feel more hopeful about their future over the long-term

• 79% of participating young workers planned to stay for two years or longer in the factory

• All five factories developed comprehensive written policies related the recruitment and management of young workers

One of the five factories expanded the programme to the other factories in their system.