Labour standards

What is Ethical Trade?

At the core of any company’s ethical sourcing policy is a set of labour standards – usually encapsulated in a code of practice – that they expect their suppliers to comply with. But the standards adopted vary from company to company, both in terms of the issues they cover, and in terms of how stringent the standard is for a particular issue.

Increasingly, however, those involved in ethical trade, including ETI, recognise International Labour Organization (ILO) standards as an international benchmark for labour codes.

International Labour Organization (ILO) and ILO Conventions

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is the UN specialised agency which seeks the promotion of social justice and internationally recognised human and labour rights. Unlike other UN agencies, it has a tripartite structure, being governed by employers’ and workers’ representatives as well as national governments. It formulates international labour standards in the form of Conventions and Recommendations setting out minimum standards of basic labour rights.

ILO Conventions have the force of international law, and states that ratify them are required to incorporate the principles into national law and to ensure the implementation of the law. In addition, all ILO member states, regardless of ratification, are obliged to respect, promote and realise the principles contained in the core ILO Conventions, which address freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, forced labour, child labour, discrimination and equal remuneration.

The ETI Base Code, and increasingly many other codes, are based on the Core Conventions and other relevant ILO standards. Follow this link for a list of the key ILO Conventions and Recommendations relating to each of the nine principles of the ETI Base Code.

A full list of ILO Conventions and Recommendations can be found at www.ilo.org