Achieving decent work in supply chains

The ILO’s MNE Declaration

The ILO’s Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (MNE Declaration) is the instrument that provides direct guidance to enterprises (multinational and national) on social policy and inclusive, responsible and sustainable workplace practices, providing a framework to integrate decent work considerations in trade and investment policies.

The ILO’s focus on decent work in supply chains

Decent work flourishes in productive and sustainable enterprises. The ILO’s renewed focus on decent work in supply chains, investment and trade offers greater opportunities for partnering with private and non-state actors. For instance, the ILO receives significant private sector contributions for supporting compliance with international labour laws in apparel supply chains through Better Work.

Better Work

A collaborative initiative between the ILO and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Better Work improves working conditions in the global garment industry across 13 countries on three continents, benefiting more than 3 million workers and millions more of their family members. It brings together governments, global brands, factory owners, unions, and workers to enhance labour rights, safety, and productivity in the apparel and footwear sector. The initiative strives to create sustainable enterprises that empower women, respect fundamental rights, and reduce environmental impacts while collaborating with factories, governments, and industry stakeholders. Through assessment, advisory visits, and academic research, Better Work has demonstrated its effectiveness in increasing compliance with labour standards, improving working conditions and worker wellbeing, strengthening competitiveness, productivity and profitability, and driving economic and social development in the garment sector.

Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE)

SCORE enhances productivity and working conditions in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) globally. The programme primarily offers SCORE Training, a blend of classroom instruction and on-site consulting, aimed at demonstrating best international practices in manufacturing and services. It covers a range of modules, from workplace cooperation to gender equality and crisis response. SCORE Training has been delivered to over 4,800 SMEs, benefiting more than 888,000 workers, resulting in productivity gains of up to 50% in participating SMEs and an impressive 91% satisfaction rate. Multinational brands are interested in SCORE Training to promote efficiency, sustainability, and compliance with labour standards in their supply chains. The programme fosters public-private partnerships to expand its reach and impact, empowering SMEs, improving working conditions, and promoting sustainable practices.

Vision Zero Fund

VZF, initiated by the Group of Seven (G7) countries, is a global initiative focused on preventing work-related deaths, injuries, and diseases in the context of global supply chains. Given that millions of workers suffer from work-related issues annually, leading to significant economic losses, the VZF aims to foster occupational safety and health (OSH) prevention activities in businesses, especially in low and middle-income countries. The initiative focuses on specific sectors: agriculture, garment and textile, and construction value chains. The VZF operates as a multi-donor trust fund, receiving contributions from governments, organizations, and private sources, and seeks to make real improvements in worker health and safety through data-driven guidance and collaboration, impacting millions of workers worldwide.

Briseida’s dedication: Cultivating safety and community in coffee fields

A proud peasant’s journey in the coffee fields

In the lush coffee-growing region of Ixhuatlán del Café, Veracruz, Mexico, Briseida Venegas Ramos, the “proudly peasant” daughter of farmers, leads Vida AC, a women-led coffee cooperative. Briseida’s connection to coffee runs deep, starting at the tender age of eight when she first learned about this aromatic bean. Today, it’s not just a job; it’s an integral part of her identity. She wakes up early during harvest seasons, tends to the plantation, and cherishes her co-workers as family.

The transformation through OSH training

Briseida’s commitment to her community goes beyond coffee cultivation. When she discovered the Vision Zero Fund project and occupational safety and health (OSH) training, she eagerly embraced it. Health had always been a priority for Vida AC, but OSH was a new dimension. The risks associated with coffee farming are significant, from heavy machinery accidents to potential electrical hazards. Through the training, Briseida and her cooperative members gained valuable knowledge in OSH, which now helps them keep each other safe and maintain their equipment for sustainable production.

Coffee, community, and feminism

Briseida’s journey isn’t just about coffee; it’s also about women’s empowerment and gender equality. Women play a crucial role in coffee production, yet they are often overlooked in statistics. Briseida’s cooperative stands as a testament to her determination to challenge traditional gender roles in the coffee sector. She shares the cooperative presidency with two other women, emphasizing that everyone has rights and obligations. Briseida’s vision extends to her community’s self-sufficiency and the advancement of feminism, and she works tirelessly to achieve it, supported by her community, whom she affectionately calls her family.

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