New agenda for ethical trade to help bring trade justice for workers
ETI Press Release
As trade campaigners [1] prepare for a mass lobby of parliament on international trade rules (2 November), the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) today (31 October 2005) launches its new agenda [2] for ethical trade. The new agenda looks at how companies can play their part in promoting trade justice by using their trading relationships with suppliers to protect poor workers around the world.
Says ETI Director Dan Rees:
"UK businesses increasingly recognise their own role in helping bring the benefits of global trade to the poor. But lasting improvements will only be achieved if companies start putting ethical trade at the heart of their business activities and stop seeing it as an optional ‘add-on’. Our new agenda recognises this and I call on all those concerned to put it into practice."
The new ETI Training Programme [3] also launched today, shows how companies can train their teams to deliver on the new agenda. Developed together with the Co-operative College from discussion, debate and work within ETI’s unique tripartite structure, the new ETI Training Programme shows the how the new agenda takes ethical trade beyond auditing.
Said Julia Dobson of Marks & Spencer, who was involved in piloting the training modules:
"The ethical trading modules, which give practical tools and tips on implementing ethical trade, will prove invaluable for retailers and brands who are looking for an authoritative and credible programme to build capacity and knowledge in their own businesses."
Speaking at the launch, Leader of the House of Lords Baroness Amos [4] said:
"The Ethical Trading Initiative Training Programme is crucial in achieving our objective to expand international trade to benefit the poorest. I strongly encourage those who are committed to ethical trade to make use of the wealth of knowledge and experience available through the ETI Training Programme."
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Downloads:
This
press release [PDF, 84kb].
Briefing
Paper - "Ethical Trade: shaping a new agenda" [PDF, 1.4MB].
Information sheets:
Putting
the new agenda for ethical trade into practice: examples of ETI members’
activities [PDF, 102kb]
Facts
about the ETI Training Programme [PDF, 141kb]
PRESS
ROOM: More
ETI Media information sheets.
For further information contact:
Julia Hawkins, Media Relations Manager, ETI
Tel: +44 (0)20 7404 1463
Cell: +44 (0)7783 028 445
Email: press@eti.org.uk.
Jane Lyons, Respect PR
Tel: +44 (0)20 7403 3895
Email: jane.lyons@respectpr.co.uk
Notes to editors:
- The Make Poverty History Campaign and the Trade Justice Movement have organised a protest outside the House of Commons on Wednesday 2 November calling for trade justice, not free trade. This coincides with the build-up to a new round of World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks in December. [context]
- The Ethical Trading Initiative’s new agenda for ethical trade
focuses on five core issues:
- One: get smarter at auditing. Make sure audits get to the root causes of poor working conditions, and use audits - and audit findings - strategically to identify national and industry-wide problems and develop appropriate solutions.
- Two: make codes work for suppliers. Show suppliers how good working conditions can benefit their business and support them to make code implementation part of the way they do business.
- Three: put workers centre stage. Make sure workers are aware of their rights as embodied in corporate codes and labour law, and make freedom of association a reality in factories and farms.
- Four: make sure business practices support ethical sourcing principles. Ensure core business practices, including buying practices, support rather than undermine the ability of suppliers to meet international labour standards.
- Five: join forces with others. Work with other
brands and retailers, NGOs,
trade unions and government to tackle systemic labour problems at
a sectoral and strategic level.
- The Ethical Trading Initiative and the Co-operative College have formed a partnership to develop and deliver a five-module ETI Training Programme that aims to share the knowledge and the learning of the ETI with the widest possible audience, initially across the United Kingdom and later in 2006, internationally.[context]
- Baroness Amos is Leader of the House of Lords and Lord President of the Council. She was made Secretary of State for International Development for a brief period after Clare Short’s resignation in 2003. [context].
See also:
PRESS ROOM: ETI Media infomation sheets.
ETI Library: ETI Conference 2005: Briefing Papers
ETI Activities: Training programme
ETI Library: ETI Base Code & Principles of Implementation
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