Support workers in the supply chain

Get involved with the Ethical Trading Initiative

The ETI was established in 1998, with the support of the Department for International Development, as an alliance of high street companies, unions and development NGOs. Its purpose is to develop good practice on labour standards in the global supply chain. Since 1998, the number of company member organisations has grown and it is a challenge to the trade union members of ETI to successfully participate in all the initiatives taking place. The ETI needs to increase the level of trade union participation.

Trade union members of ETI

• The Council of Global Unions (CGU members);
• The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC);
• The Trades Union Congress in the UK.

If your union is a member of any of these organisations, then you are already a trade union member and welcome to become involved in ETI work.

In the last eight years, ETI activities have made a real difference to people’s lives. Workers have been trained about their rights and companies have recognised the value of constructive engagement with trade unions. As a result, there have been improvements in working conditions in the wine industry in South Africa, for homeworkers in India, garment workers in Sri Lanka and farm workers in the UK. New companies are joining the ETI and there are new opportunities to influence their labour practices. We need more active trade union members to meet new challenges.

You can help make a difference - think about getting involved!

Get in touch with Annie Watson, ETI Trade Union Coordinator annie@eti.org.uk to get more information about trade union activities within ETI. She will let you know if someone from your organisation is already involved and put you in touch and suggest that you:

• come along to a trade union side meeting, held quarterly, usually at the TUC headquarters, Congress House, London;
• enrol on an introductory course to find out more about ETI;
• attend events and conferences and participate in ETI experimental working groups;
• join the trade union mailing list and keep up to date with ETI developments.

Annie Watson, ETI Trade Union Coordinator:

• Email: annie@eti.org.uk