Key challenges in ethical trade

In May 2003, 320 people from 25 countries and many different walks of life gathered in London to discuss the key challenges to improving working conditions in global supply chains. All of those present were involved in one way or another in promoting and implementing voluntary codes of labour practice, and/or the labour rights they embody. This was the third in a series of international conferences organised by the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), conferences which aim to provide a forum for those involved in ethical trade to share experiences, engage in debate and develop their understanding of ethical trade issues.

Key challenges in ethical trade is a report of the main issues and debates that arose at this conference, and has been written for all those with an interest in ethical trade, whether or not they were able to take part. The report will be relevant to a wide audience, since the issues it covers make up a core agenda for the future of ethical trade and bring together perspectives from a wide range of stakeholders.

Instead of a conventional account of the conference proceedings, the report is structured around the following 10 key themes:

• Building local multi-stakeholder code initiatives
• Providing workers with confidential complaints mechanisms
• Linking wages, overtime and productivity
• The challenge of code implementation in supply chains that include homeworkers and/or smallholders
• Improving companies' performance on labour issues in China
• Worker education
• Purchasing practices: what impact on labour conditions?
• Women workers: are current practices enough to address discrimination at the workplace?
• What role for the private sector in preventing, identifying and remedying child labour?
• Are codes making a difference to workers?