RAPID stands for “Reframe, Agree, Provide, Insist, Develop.” The RAPID framework is a strategic tool designed for institutional investors to combat child labour in supply chains by integrating human rights considerations into investment decisions. The framework provides a structured approach to ensure that investors exert appropriate pressure on companies, driving meaningful change in addressing child labour. For each letter of the acronym RAPID, the framework divided these factors into different aspects; why, how, building your organisational capacity and key questions.

How to use the framework
The framework is designed as a practical tool for institutional investors to exert pressure on companies to eradicate child labour from their supply chains. It recommends embedding child labour metrics into investment decision-making processes, engaging in dialogues with stakeholders, and consistently re-evaluating internal policies and commitments. Investors are urged to ask pointed questions and seek transparent, evidence-backed responses from investee companies, thereby fostering accountability and driving positive change.

Why?
The UK, as a global leader in the fight against modern slavery, is ideally positioned to mobilise investors in eliminating child labour from supply chains. The framework acknowledges the challenge investors face in quantifying child labour risks due to the limitations of current ESG rating systems, which are not designed to detect specific human rights violations.

How?
The framework advises institutional investors to conduct a double materiality assessment to evaluate the impact of their investment decisions on child labour and human rights more broadly. Investors should integrate child labour considerations into their screening and decision-making processes. This includes adopting policies that specifically address child labour, elevating internal strategic dialogue, and securing buy-in from senior leadership. Transparency in risk analysis and human rights performance is also encouraged.

Building your organisational capacity
Building capacity within organisations is crucial for addressing child labour. Investors should engage in multi-lateral dialogues, particularly through platforms like the ILO Child Labour Platform, and integrate child labour metrics into decision-making processes. The framework highlights the need for understanding that human rights issues, including child labour, span across the ESG spectrum and should be addressed holistically.

Key questions
The framework encourages investors to ask critical questions that drive meaningful action:

• How has risk analysis informed actions to eliminate child labour?
• What specific steps have been taken to identify and remediate child labour?
• What is the trend in the instances of identified child labour?

Recommendations

The framework provides key recommendations:

• Adopt specific policies: Develop and implement clear policies addressing child labour within your organisation.
• Engage in strategic partnerships: Collaborate with expert organisations like UNICEF and the ILO to strengthen efforts against child labour.
• Enhance transparency: Demand detailed risk analysis and credible data from investee companies to ensure accountability and clarity in human rights performance.
• Allocate resources: Ensure sufficient resources are allocated to human rights activities, with strong support from CFOs and senior leadership to drive these initiatives.