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Better Work Global – Phase IV - Final cluster evaluation

eval_number:

3191

eval_url:

https://webapps.ilo.org/ievaldiscovery/eval/3191

location:

country:

Inter-Regional

region:

Inter-Regional

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eval_title:

Better Work Global – Phase IV - Final cluster evaluation

recommendations:

date:

2023-01-16 00:00:00.0

themes:

theme:

Organizational issues

category:

Programme implementation

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action_plan:

All country programmes will be building capacity of national stakeholders and some have very specific plans to involve buyers in this (by way for example of re starting a Building Bridges style programme). We will showcase this work at global events (e.g. the Strategy Forum, Global business forum, webinars) in order to encourage the participation of buyers as well to further strengthen the trust between buyers and national stakeholders to pave the way for gradual handover of some services in time.  "• We are planning for a return to in-person events this year (starting with a meeting in Paris in February) to complement the regular webinars we already run and the continuation of the Strategy Forum all of these specifically target buyers. • Our work on SLCP tool 1.6 will involve sensitising buyers on ILS as we liaise with them on tool development. • Further use (e.g. via social media) of the results of the 2022 purchasing practices will be used to highlight how buyers on practices impact working conditions. " During the pandemic buyers (incorrectly) cited force majeure in order to get out of contractual obligations. We don't therefore have specific plans to support buyers in developing contingency plans in case of force majeure but will rather continue to promote the recommendation related to force majeure contained in the 'Common Framework on Responsible Purchasing Practices' which reads 'Force Majeure can only be invoked on mutually agreed and legally valid grounds, and respects the transfer of ownership and risks defined elsewhere in the contract. If the purchasing company invokes force majeure on legally valid grounds, then at a minimum, costs already incurred by the manufacturer for the order should be paid by the purchasing company.'

management_response:

Partially Completed

progress:

Partially achieved

admin_units:

BETTERWORK

title:

Recommendation 4: Continue enhancing the engagement of buyers in the BW programme, especially in terms of their capacity building and assessment of working conditions in factories outside the scope of BW. The evaluation has demonstrated that buyers contribute to enhanced compliance of factories and are an important enabler of spillover impact, and that leveraging buyers more as important enablers can expand the impact of BW. It has also shown, however, that buyers affect factory stability during COVID-19 and therefore have a role to play in supporting the resilience of factories (and thereby working conditions and wages).
Several actions can be taken to implement this recommendation:
- Involve buyers in capacity-building efforts for national stakeholders. This ensures that buyers are also aware of the responsibilities of national stakeholders (who may take over the factory assessments) and strengthens their collaboration.
- Increase activities targeting buyers, e.g., to develop their understanding of the ILS and how their own practices can support working conditions and workers’ well-being.
- Support buyers to develop contingency plans in case of force majeure. Such plans should focus on contact and contractual relations with factories during crises such as the pandemic, which disrupt global purchasing practices.

project_symbols:

GLO/17/55/MUL

url:

https://webapps.ilo.org/ievaldiscovery/recommendations/16571

information_source:

Head Quarters

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