“Decent Work in Global Supply Chains”
The competitive pressures to produce at low cost in Global Supply Chains (GSC), increases the pressures for low wages and poor working conditions. This has led to countries ‘racing to the bottom’ by creating artificial and unsustainable comparative advantages by lowering labour standards, slashing welfare provisions and granting tax exemptions.”
18 February 2016
A Meeting of Technical Experts took place from 15 to 16 February 2016, the meeting preceded a High Level Symposium on Decent Work in the Global Supply Chains and the 42nd Ordinary Session of the ARLAC (Africa Regional Labour Administration Centre) Governing Council Meeting held from 17 to 18 February in Livingstone, Zambia. The meeting sought to develop strategies for the effective governance of Global Supply Chains and prepare key recommendations for a common position by ARLAC member countries. These will be their contribution to the General Discussion on Global Supply Chains that will be held during the annual ILO International Labour Conference in June 2016.
In her goodwill message, the Director for ILO Country Office for Zimbabwe and Namibia, Ms Hopolang Phororo stated that securing decent working conditions along global production lines has been gaining in importance for the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda. She noted that discussion on GSCs had come at an opportune moment as the economies of all member countries are all somewhat linked (through investment, production and international trade) due to the exigencies of globalisation.
The networks created among different countries and companies producing, handling, and distributing specific goods and or products creates this maze of interactions we call global supply chains. The dynamics of production and employment relations within these GSCs can have negative implications for working conditions. While global enterprises are a valuable source of jobs and can help improve the livelihoods of workers and their families, they can become traps for social ills such as child labour, forced labour, human trafficking, unsafe and unfair labour practices.
Today, one still reads and hears of huge accidents and fatalities in the world of work. Such developments have the potential to set back economies through lost human and industrial productive capacity. Instability in labour relations can make huge dents to corporate bottom lines and public service delivery (wild cat strikes).
Tripartite partners saw it fit to discuss the issue of promoting decent work in global supply chains, which was first discussed at the 13th African Regional Meeting and culminating in June this year, at the 105th session of the International Labour Conference. The general discussion offered an important opportunity for ILO constituents to gain a better understanding of how engagement in GSCs can contribute to sustainable development, inclusive economic growth and decent work for all.
Integrating decent work in investment, industrial development and international trade policies ensures that recognition of labour rights becomes part of the way of doing business in GSCs. Compliance with principles of international labour standards is now embedded in consumer choices and is both a social and a business imperative. As countries seek to enhance productivity and economic development, as well as create decent work opportunities, both broad-based policies and polices directed at specific sectors to promote decent work are needed. Social dialogue on wages, work organisation, safe work practices, technological change or restructuring, for example, is needed to ensure respect for workers’ rights while also improving productivity.
The African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) works to strengthen labour administration systems in English speaking African member countries through training, research, consultancy and advisory services.
In her goodwill message, the Director for ILO Country Office for Zimbabwe and Namibia, Ms Hopolang Phororo stated that securing decent working conditions along global production lines has been gaining in importance for the ILO’s Decent Work Agenda. She noted that discussion on GSCs had come at an opportune moment as the economies of all member countries are all somewhat linked (through investment, production and international trade) due to the exigencies of globalisation.
The networks created among different countries and companies producing, handling, and distributing specific goods and or products creates this maze of interactions we call global supply chains. The dynamics of production and employment relations within these GSCs can have negative implications for working conditions. While global enterprises are a valuable source of jobs and can help improve the livelihoods of workers and their families, they can become traps for social ills such as child labour, forced labour, human trafficking, unsafe and unfair labour practices.
Today, one still reads and hears of huge accidents and fatalities in the world of work. Such developments have the potential to set back economies through lost human and industrial productive capacity. Instability in labour relations can make huge dents to corporate bottom lines and public service delivery (wild cat strikes).
Tripartite partners saw it fit to discuss the issue of promoting decent work in global supply chains, which was first discussed at the 13th African Regional Meeting and culminating in June this year, at the 105th session of the International Labour Conference. The general discussion offered an important opportunity for ILO constituents to gain a better understanding of how engagement in GSCs can contribute to sustainable development, inclusive economic growth and decent work for all.
Integrating decent work in investment, industrial development and international trade policies ensures that recognition of labour rights becomes part of the way of doing business in GSCs. Compliance with principles of international labour standards is now embedded in consumer choices and is both a social and a business imperative. As countries seek to enhance productivity and economic development, as well as create decent work opportunities, both broad-based policies and polices directed at specific sectors to promote decent work are needed. Social dialogue on wages, work organisation, safe work practices, technological change or restructuring, for example, is needed to ensure respect for workers’ rights while also improving productivity.
The African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) works to strengthen labour administration systems in English speaking African member countries through training, research, consultancy and advisory services.