REPORTS ON THE ETI IMPACT ASSESSMENT 2006
The ETI code of labour practice: Do workers really benefit?

About this report

This report provides an account of the findings and recommendations from the scoping study carried out in China as part of the ETI Impact Assessment. It is relevant to at all those involved in monitoring and improving labour conditions in the export garment industry in China, including retailers, agents and suppliers, auditors, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and trade unions.

Unlike the other five case studies, the China study was not a full impact assessment. Rather, it was an evaluation of the feasibility of carrying out such an assessment in the future, and the focus of this document reflects this limited scope. Nevertheless, this report also serves as a succinct overview of some of the key factors that influence labour practices and code implementation in China – including social and political factors, labour law, the nature of supply chains, key characteristics of the workforce, and trade union and civil society influences. As such, we hope that it will be of wider relevance and interest.

 

 

Detailed contents

• Contents
• Foreword

• 1 Introduction and context
  • 1.1 Background to the scoping study
  • 1.2 Methodology used in the China scoping study
    • 1.2.1 Basis of scoping study
    • 1.2.2 Key questions
  • 1.3 Context
• 2 Key challenges for an impact assessment
  • 2.1 Value chain
  • 2.2 Double book-keeping
  • 2.3 Workers
  • 2.4 Key labour issues
    • 2.4.1 Freedom of association
    • 2.4.2 Overtime
    • 2.4.3 Regular employment
    • 2.4.4 Health and safety
    • 2.4.5 Accommodation
    • 2.4.6 Discrimination
  • 2.5 Trade unions/civil society
• 3 Addressing the challenges for an impact assessment
  • 3.1 Value chain
  • 3.2 Double book-keeping
  • 3.3 Workers
  • 3.4 Trade unions and civil society
  • 3.5 Local researchers
  • 3.6 Summary of issues
  • 3.7 Practicalities of carrying out an impact assessment
• 4 Recommendations

 

 

Downloads

Download PART 2f (China) in PDF format [PDF, 489kb]

Clickable list of all reports in this series.

 

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This series of reports has been prepared by the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and the views expressed do not necesarily represent the views of ETI or of its member organisations. IDS is responsible for the accuracy of information contained in the document and its recommendations have not necessarily been endorsed by ETI.

© Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, 2006

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See also:

A preliminary response by the Ethical Trading Initiative to IDS’ study (19 October 2006)

ETI Activities: Research projects: Impact assessment

ETI Activities: Experimental projects: China

ETI Events: Conferences: Biennial conference 2005: Workshop - Assessing our impact