Labels and standards based on conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO)
Numerous enterprises and CSOs worldwide apply labels and standards based on the conventions of the International Labour Organisation – e.g. the Fair Trade label, the Ethical Trading Initiative, the SA8000 standard, the Global Reporting Initiative. These labels and standards focus on key issues such as child labour, compensation, discrimination, forced labour, working hours, health and safety, freedom of association and disciplinary practices. Most EU buyers’ social requirements, such as minimum working conditions, are also based on the conventions of international labour standards of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
ILO conventions and recommendations cover a broad range of 22 subjects including work, employment, social security, social policy and human rights. The international labour standards are made up of 188 conventions and 199 recommendations. Even though most ILO conventions are incorporated into institutional law in western democracies, there is a need to further promote ILO conventions within the globalised economy.
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Strengths and weaknesses
How you can take action
Labels derived from ILO conventions reflect basic human rights standards and need to be monitored. As the ILO does not have sufficient monitoring capacity, the support of CSOs in assessing companies’ adherence to ILO conventions is crucial. Campaigns can create awareness regarding the implementation and respect of ILO standards and put pressure on national and international policy makers to incorporate them into policies. CSOs have an important role to play in improving and monitoring the standards and may also help in broadening? them – for example by promoting the idea of human wellbeing. To improve labour standards and ensure their quality, CSOs can build inclusive platforms involving politicians, unions, companies and other stakeholders. This can also provide good networking opportunities with scientific institutions and other CSOs.
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Case study: Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI)
The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) brings together CSOs, companies and unions to identify and promote best practice in the implementation of codes of conduct, including monitoring and independent verification. Companies such as Anchor Seafood, Body Shop, Chiquita, Levis, NEXT, Marks and Spencer, Safeway Stores, Brooke Bond Tea, Tetley Tea, and Twinings are members of the initiative.
The ETI has developed a multi-sectoral Base Code based on ILO standards. ETI member companies agree to adopt or incorporate the Base Code and must require that their suppliers meet the provisions of the Code within a reasonable timeframe. ETI members are currently participating in four pilot projects, testing various models of code verification. Further details of the initiative can be found at www.ethicaltrade.org.
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Learn more and get inspired
Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International
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You can download the whole paper on indicators “Measuring Performance towards Sustainable Consumption and Production – Types of Indicators and Indicator Sets” and other interesting papers of the Action Town project in the Library!
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