Worker Helpline
In order to improve workers’ lives, it is essential that we better understand their needs. We have operated our Worker Helpline, a people-powered grievance channel available to all facilities in China and Vietnam, since 2010. In its 15 years of operation, ESCP's Worker Helpline has provided access to free, confidential counselling and advice to over 10million workers.
Helping factory management and their buyers to identify recurring or emerging issues and drive positive change, the Helpline is a fundamental part of the ESCP Factory Certification Program, and all supplier members must promote this resource to their workers. It is also available on request to companies whose suppliers are not certified, where employers are seeking to enhance their grievance mechanism and proactively support workers and their managers.
The Helpline enables employees to raise any concerns about their safety, well-being or labor rights with us for further investigation, without fear of retribution. This enables the reporting of worries that may otherwise not be voiced – for example, around unsafe working conditions, harassment or bullying, underage workers, documents being withheld, or being unable to leave a job voluntarily. The Helpline has managed more than 24,000 cases to date, operating successfully in China since 2010 and extended to Vietnam in 2021, where it has managed 1,219 cases for workers across multiple industries, from apparel to construction.
The impact in words
"I used to work in another factory where I often had to work overtime and was treated poorly, but I had no one to talk to about it. I am grateful that my new employer provides this Helpline service for us, and I am pleased to see a more caring and supportive environment."
– A newly employed worker at an ESCP-certified factory, 2024 Worker Well-Being Impact Report
Read Impacts from 2024 Worker Well-Being Programs