Ergon Update: February 2011
Beyond audit
The limitations of relying solely on audits as a means of identifying and rectifying labour abuses are increasingly understood. Other approaches that encourage more embedded and sustainable change at worksites are needed. Stuart Bell argues for a closer emphasis on supporting human resource processes among suppliers and contractors and describes how process-based frameworks are being adopted. Ergon has also authored a booklet for the Dutch Sustainability Initiative (IDH) looking at beyond audit issues. Read Stuart’s blog here
Finance and labour standards - changes to IFC PS2
As highlighted in our last Update, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is in the latter stages of finalising an updated set of Performance Standards (PS), due to be approved in May. We have been directly consulted by IFC on proposals to amend PS2 on labour issues and are keeping a close watch on changes. We are developing a focused learning package on the new PS2 requirements. This will be relevant to any organisation that uses IFC Performance Standards as a benchmark (e.g. Equator Principle signatories and environmental/social consultants), as well as recipients of IFC finance or finance from other Development Finance Institutions. The package can also be tailored to trade unions and NGOs. Contact Alastair Usher for details.
ETI workshop - interpreting national law and the Base Code
Steve Gibbons will be delivering the fifth workshop on interpreting the ETI Base Code in the UK employment law framework for the Ethical Trading Initiative on 29 March in London. Developed by Ergon, the events are aimed at ethical trade specialists, HR and general managers in suppliers and other advisors. The aim is to boost participants' knowledge of the ETI base code and key UK labour laws, as well as setting out the practical steps required to develop sound labour relations and HR management systems capable of improving compliance with the ETI Base Code. There are more details here. Ergon, in partnership with ETI, are happy to talk to organisations about running this course in house. For further information contact Steve Gibbons.
Monitoring the impacts of trade agreements on decent work - Chile workshops
Ergon is currently in the middle of an 18-month project for the European Commission focussed on the evaluation of the potential impact of trade agreements between the European Union and other countries on a broad range of decent work indicators. As part of this project we are carrying out a monitoring exercise in Chile, with our partners at the University of Chile, to evaluate the impact of the EU-Chile Association Agreement on labour issues. In January 2011 the ILO Office in Santiago kindly hosted a stakeholder meeting for us to support our evaluation of the impact of the agreement on the wine, salmon and forestry sectors. We will hold a second workshop in April 2011 in Santiago.
Manual on labour and migration
A new, inter-active training manual on labour and migration has been developed by Ergon for the International Organisation on Migration (IOM) and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The manual aims to help governments, the private sector and others to identify issues that need to be addressed when developing policies and programmes necessary to protect migrant workers and to enhance the development impact of well-managed labour migration. Ergon has already piloted the training programme in Kyrgyzstan, Tunisia, Senegal, El Salvador, Albania and Ecuador. For further information on our work around labour and migration, contact Pins Brown.
