Research has shown that buyer purchasing practices can prevent supplier compliance with company codes of conduct and put at risk the lives and dignity of workers in supply chains. While poor purchasing practices have led to many problems, including child labor and employee retrenchment, many of their negative effects fall into four categories.

• Failure to pay wages and benefits required by law and buyers’ codes of conduct
• Use of excessive overtime, some of which may be forced
• Unauthorized subcontracting to unsafe facilities with poor working conditions
• Increase use of temporary labor making employment more precarious

Better Buying^TM sheds light on purchasing practices so that they can be improved and suppliers will be better supported in providing safe and fair conditions for workers.