Based on almost a decade of experience implementing curated training to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across 15 countries around the globe, the productivity and working conditions package was revised, in response to an increased demand for an end to gender inequality in the world of work. SCORE Colombia National Coordinator, Carolina Trevisi, spoke to us about why this tool is so important for the ILO.

Q: What prompted the development of MIG SCORE?

From its Constitution, the ILO has been committed to promoting equal opportunities for women and men to obtain decent work. ILO Conventions on forced labor (C29) and discrimination (C100) are cross-cutting in MIG SCORE.

More recently, violence and harassment [against women and men] in the world of work, was placed on the agenda of the 107th Session of the International Labour Conference, following multiple requests for standard setting. It was in response to an expert report (1)  submitted to the committee ahead of this year’s discussion, that MIG SCORE was developed. It fulfils a need to develop instruments that identify and prevent discrimination, violence and harassment in the workplace, and functions as an aggregator of data on this type of behaviour.

The programme also supports the integration of private sector in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. MIG SCORE steers enterprises toward achieving Goal 5 of the 2030 Agenda, including ending “all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere”; undertaking “reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources”; and adopting and strengthening “sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.”

Q: The SCORE Programme was designed to demonstrate, “the business case for decent work”, highlighting the link between improved working conditions and increased productivity for SMEs. So, what is the link between gender equality and productivity?

Workplace cooperation ensures the well-being and motivation of employees and catalyzes the ability to work more efficiently. The creation of a culture of gender equality is part of the mechanism to build a work environment of inclusion and respect for difference, which results in improved productivity.

SCORE Training offers modular training with five core areas for improvement, including HR management. Effective HR processes and procedures should prevent discrimination, promote effective workplace cooperation, and provide equal opportunity and treatment for men and women, as well as healthy and safe workplaces (free of violence and abuse), in order to motivate staff for improved efficiency, and reduce staff turn-over. MIG SCORE was designed to convey this message, supported by the evidence that SCORE really works!

VIDEO: The business impact of domestic violence and harassment

Q: What makes MIG SCORE different?

Unlike most existing certifications and schemes that focus on gender equality at larger enterprise level, MIG SCORE was designed specifically with the management and financial capacities of SMEs and organizations of the social and solidarity economy, in mind. It provides concrete training and counselling for the implementation of best management practices in gender equality, to support better working conditions for women and men and improve enterprise productivity.

For lead buyers, MIG SCORE offers a methodology for supply chain management with a gender equality focus. It can support lead buyer reporting, with regard to labor rights and supply chain procurement. As an aggregator of data, MIG SCORE can also inform employer´s organizations, unions and governments, regarding workplace conditions and productivity.

Report V (1). Ending violence and harassment against women and men in the world of work. 

Visit the SCORE Programme homepage for more information