An investigation by the BBC has uncovered that children are involved in picking jasmine for two major beauty companies, Lancôme and Aerin Beauty. Despite claims of zero tolerance for child labor by luxury perfume brands, minors are still being used in the supply chain.
The jasmine used in Lancôme and Aerin Beauty’s products comes from Egypt, where children are forced to work due to low wages paid to their parents. The auditing systems used by the perfume industry to check on supply chains are flawed, according to the BBC’s findings.
Industry insiders reveal that the companies that own luxury brands are cutting costs, leading to very low pay for jasmine pickers in Egypt. Children as young as 12 are seen working on farms supplying the factories that extract oil from the jasmine flowers.
The perfume companies, such as L’Oréal and Estée Lauder, are accused of setting tight budgets that trickle down and put pressure on wages, ultimately leading to child labor. Despite claims of ethical sourcing practices, the reality on the ground tells a different story.
The lack of oversight by perfume companies on their supply chains allows for these unethical practices to continue. Auditing firms like Sedex and UEBT give glowing assessments to factories while human rights issues persist.
Overall, the BBC’s investigation has shed light on the dark secret of the perfume industry and the exploitation of children in the jasmine supply chain. It is clear that more needs to be done to ensure ethical practices and fair treatment of workers in the industry.