The challenges of Decent Work in Global Supply Chains
The ILO’s Bureau for Workers ‘Activities (ACTRAV) will organize a symposium on Decent Work in Global Supply Chains from 15th to 17th December. ACTRAV Director Maria Helena André discusses the challenges linked to this topic, particularly for the trade union movement.
Transcript: Today, a large number of workers are in global supply chains (GSCs).
The growing importance of global supply chains (GSCs), affects the global and regional structure of employment, working conditions and workers’ rights.
The loss of 1,136 lives when Rana Plaza collapsed on 24 April 2013 in Bangladesh brought to the attention of the global community the appalling working conditions experienced by workers in Global Supply Chains (GSCs).
The ILO’s Decent Work Agenda which is universally endorsed by the international community, is a strong instrument to identify decent work gaps and deficits in Global Supply Chains; including the respect of fundamental workers’ rights, and health and safety standards throughout the entire supply chain.
This is the core of discussions of the Workers’ Symposium organised by the ILO’s Bureau for Workers ‘Activities (ACTRAV) which takes place from the 15th to 17th December 2015 at ILO headquarters in Geneva.
Some 100 trade union representatives, senior ILO officials and experts from Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and the Arab regions will attend the symposium to discuss how best to promote Decent work in the Global Supply Chains.
The ACTRAV symposium will target three main challenges.
Firstly, the promotion and respect of workers’ fundamental rights in the global supply chains. The respect of Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining in Multinational Enterprises and in their supply chains, as well as in Export processing zones is fundamental.
Secondly, the reinforcement of labour relations in Global Supply chains is needed. Global Framework Agreements in Global Supply Chains are effective instruments to build confidence and mutual gains for workers and employers organizations. They are also a means to ensure respect for workers’ rights throughout the supply chain.
Finally, the conclusions and recommendations of the symposium will certainly contribute to the General Discussion on Global Supply Chains during the forthcoming International Labour Conference in June 2016.
At national and global levels, the effective involvement of unions in regulatory frameworks can make the difference by addressing the challenges of decent work deficits in Global Supply Chains.
Through tripartism and social dialogue in supply chains, together we can make a difference to ensure decent work for all.
