Enhancing Labor Compliance Globally: DOL iLAB’s Comply Chain and Sweat & Toil Applications

Project Overview:

Between October 2018 and September 2023, Zolon Tech Inc. partnered with the Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) to provide essential operations and maintenance services for ILAB’s innovative mobile and web-based applications, Comply Chain and Sweat & Toil. These applications are pivotal tools for addressing child and forced labor in supply chains, offering companies and industry groups comprehensive guidance on establishing robust social compliance systems.

Objective Achievement:

Our mission was to support and enhance these applications, ensuring they effectively serve as resources for mitigating labor compliance risks in global supply chains. This involved project management support, architectural and solution development, and engineering enhancements, significantly contributing to ILAB’s efforts to promote fair labor practices worldwide.

Services Rendered:

Zolon Tech Inc.’s team delivered a suite of services, including application re-design, enhancement development, testing, implementation, and maintenance. Our efforts in the first phase focused on the Comply Chain application, introducing new features, a user-friendly interface, and improved content loading times. The subsequent phase centered on developing support for the Sweat & Toil application, enriching it with vital labor data and compliance information.

Challenges and Solutions:

The project encountered challenges related to technology adaptation and ensuring the applications’ effectiveness across diverse platforms. We overcame these by transitioning development strategies, utilizing React Native for greater flexibility, and dedicating additional resources to automation testing, particularly for iOS platforms. This collaborative problem-solving approach ensured the applications’ success and reliability.

Impact and Recognition:

The completion of this project marked a significant advancement in ILAB’s digital outreach on labor compliance. Both applications were released on schedule, with DOL officials rating Zolon Tech Inc.’s performance as “Very Good” in all applicable areas. Our work has been instrumental in providing accessible, actionable information to combat child labor and forced labor globally.

Reflections on Project Success:

As we reflect on this project, we are proud of our contributions to enhancing global labor compliance through technological innovation. Our collaboration with ILAB has not only supported their mission but also set a precedent for future endeavors in public sector technology projects.