Occupational safety and health within sustainable sourcing policies of multinational enterprises

According to ILO estimates, 60 to 80 percent of world trade involves global supply chains (GSCs). The contribution of these trade mechanisms to global economic growth and job opportunities is clear, however their impact on the working conditions, safety and health of workers involved in developing countries, raises concern.

Sustainable sourcing policies developed by multinational enterprises have been identified as a possible source of influence for occupational safety and health improvement in GSCs, particularly through setting sourcing criteria and certification requirements under private compliance initiatives (PCIs). The LABADMIN/OSH Branch of the Governance Department will present research on the relative importance of OSH within global buyers’ sustainable sourcing policies. Join us to discuss findings focusing on agriculture and textile.

This research benefited from funding from the European Commission through both the Joint ILO-EU project on OSH in Global Supply Chains under the ILO’s Global Action for Prevention on Occupational Safety and Health flagship programme and the Vision Zero Fund.