Introduction

Our mission is to produce high-quality clothes in the most responsible way possible. All our goods are produced in Klinë, Kosovo. By this Responsible Business Conduct, LuMuse shares their commitment to human rights, animal welfare and the environment. This CoC is based on the OECD guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and the UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights.
This document outlines the principles and values that guide the working environment and the LuMuse factory. Our vision is centered on empowering women, and as such, we are actively engaged in developing and delivering training programs to nurture talent. We believe that by acquiring new skills, women can achieve financial independence, thereby fostering greater empowerment.

Payment of a fair wage

Wages and benefits paid for a standard working week shall meet at least legal or industry minimum standards and always be sufficient to meet the basic needs of workers and their families and to provide some discretionary income (ILO Conventions 26 and 131).
Deductions shall never constitute an amount that will lead the employee to receive less than the minimum wage. Employees shall be adequately and clearly informed about the specifications of their wages including wage rates and pay period.

Reasonable hours of work

Hours of work shall comply with applicable laws and industry standards. In any event, workers shall not on a regular basis be required to work more than 48 hours per week and shall be provided with at least one day off for every seven-day period. Overtime shall be voluntary, shall not exceed 12 hours per week, shall not be demanded on a regular basis and shall always be compensated at a premium rate (ILO Convention 1).

Employment is freely chosen

There shall be no use of forced, including bonded or prison labor (ILO Conventions 29 and 105 and ILO Protocol 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention).

No exploitation of child labour

There shall be no use of child labour. The age for admission to employment shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, not less than 15 years (ILO Convention 138). ‘’There shall be no forms of slavery or practices like slavery such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour. Children [in the age of 15-18] shall not perform work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm their health, safety, or morals.’’ (ILO Convention 182).

Freedom of Association and the right to collective bargaining

The right of all workers to form and join trade unions and bargain collectively shall be recognized (ILO Conventions 87 and 98).
LuMuse shall, in those situations in which the right of freedom of association and collective bargaining are restricted under law, facilitate parallel means of independent and free association and bargaining for all workers. Workers’ representatives shall not be the subject of discrimination and shall have access to all workplaces necessary to carry out their representation functions (ILO Convention 135 and Recommendation 143).

Safe and healthy working conditions

A safe and hygienic working environment is provided, and the best occupational health and safety practices is promoted, bearing in mind the prevailing knowledge of the industry and of any specific hazards. Appropriate attention shall be paid to occupational hazards specific to this branch of the industry and assure that a safe and hygienic work environment is provided. Effective regulations shall be implemented to prevent accidents and minimise health risks as much as possible (following ILO Convention 155). Physical abuse, threats of physical abuse, unusual punishments or discipline, sexual and other harassment, and intimidation by the employer are strictly prohibited.

Legally binding employment relationship

Obligations to employees under labour or social security laws and regulations arising from the regular employment relationship shall not be avoided with labour-only contracting arrangements, or through apprenticeship schemes where there is no real intent to impart skills or provide regular employment. Younger workers shall be given the opportunity to participate in education and training programmes.

There is no discrimination in employment

Recruitment, wage policy, admittance to training programmes, employee promotion policy, policies of employment termination, retirement, and any other aspect of the employment relationship shall be based on the principle of equal opportunities, regardless of race, gender, colour, sex, religion, political affiliation, union membership, nationality, social origin, deficiencies, or handicaps (ILO Conventions 100, 111, 183 and 190).

Protection of the environment

Business partners must comply with all applicable environmental laws, regulations, and standards in the countries in which they operate and take into consideration all relevant international agreements concerning the protection of the environment and public health and safety. Business partners should assess the significant environmental impact of operations and establish effective policies and procedures that reflect their environmental responsibility. They will see to implement of adequate measures to prevent or minimize adverse effects on the community, natural resources, and the overall environment. We expect that our business partners preserve natural resources, maintain biodiversity, and avoid environmental degradation because of their business operations (OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Environment).

Water & wastewater management

We expect from ourselves and our suppliers that we are using water responsibly, and that they work to minimize their water footprint. The includes reducing water use and implementing water recycling as much as possible. Suppliers must treat and dispose of wastewater according to the law or the industry benchmarks, whichever is higher.

Energy efficiency, air emissions and climate change (GHG emissions)

Suppliers should work to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas footprint. All emissions that are produced during production must be monitored and controlled and treated as required by law.

Cleaner production and waste management

Suppliers are requested to improve resource efficiency by implementing ‘’cleaner production techniques’’ and reducing waste during the production processes. Suppliers should also implement methods to re-use or recycle waste from the site. Suppliers should assess the significant environmental impact of operations and establish effective policies and procedures that reflect their environmental responsibility and keep detailed records.

Ethical business behavior

Business partners shall, without prejudice to the goals and expectations set out in this chapter, not be involved in any act of corruption, extortion, or embezzlement, nor in any form of bribery – including but not limited to – the promising, offering, giving or accepting of any improper monetary of another incentive.