Ethical Trade Resources: by issue
Based on the sections of the ETI Base Code
This
is an outline page for this new section of the ETI website, which will
be developed on an ongoing basis to provide a list of key resources on this
topic. Suggestions for material to include on
this page are welcome!
Introduction:
- International labour standards and the ILO
- Fundamental conventions
- Other relevant conventions
- See also...
Resource Pages:
Selected resources organised by their particular relevance to sections of the ETI Base Code:
- Employment is freely chosen - e.g. no forced labour
- Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected
- Health & Safety conditions are safe and hygienic
- Child labour shall not be used
- Living wages are paid
- Working hours are not excessive
- No discrimination is practised
- Regular employment is provided
- No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed.
Introduction
Responsibility for setting international labour standards is given by
the international community to the International Labour Organisation (ILO)
which was established for this purpose. The tripartite structure of the
ILO, involving both employers’ and workers’ representatives
as well as governments, together with the technical expertise of this organisation
in all matters relating to the world of work, make the ILO the authoritative
and legitimate source of international labour standards.
ILO standards are set in Conventions, having the force of international
law and binding for states that have ratified them and in Recommendations
which provide additional guidance to governments. ILO member states must
provide regular reports on the application of ratified Conventions to the
ILO. The findings of ILO supervisory bodies form ILO jurisprudence.
With the adoption in June 1998 of the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles
and Rights at Work all 174 ILO member states have an obligation, regardless
of ratification, to respect, promote and realise the principles contained
in the core ILO Conventions. The base code headings below list and describe
the key International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions and Recommendations
relevant to the nine clauses of the ETI Base Code (see Base Code text and
Implementation Priniciples for the full text of the ETI Base Code). For
the most relevant Conventions, we have included a description of the content
of each Convention; however, in all cases reference should be made to the
full text of the Convention concerned.
Information on the ILO and all Conventions and Recommendations can be found in full on the ILO Website at www.ilo.org.
Fundamental Conventions
Eight ILO Conventions have been identified by the ILO's Governing Body as being fundamental to the rights of human beings at work, irrespective of levels of development of individual member States. These rights are a precondition for all the others in that they provide for the necessary implements to strive freely for the improvement of individual and collective conditions of work.
Freedom of association
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention, 1948 (No. 87)
Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98)
The abolition of forced labour
Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29)
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105)
Equality
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (No. 111)
Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100)
The elimination of child labour
Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138)
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182)
Alongside these eight fundamental Conventions and not directly reflected in the ETI Base Code, three other Conventions have also been prioritised by the ILO, meaning they are also subject to biannual reporting by states (as opposed to 5 years for other conventions):
Employment Policy C122
Tripartite Consultation C144
Labour Inspection C81
Other relevant conventions
Alongside the fundamental conventions included under each base code heading, the following Conventions and Recommendations are also relevant to the ETI Base Code.
C175 – Part-time Work Convention, 1994
C183 – Maternity Protection Convention, 2000
C177 – Home Work Convention, 1996; and R184 Home Work Recommendation, 1996
C159 – Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Convention, 1983; and R168 – Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Disabled Persons) Recommendation, 1983
See also:
The ETI Base Code and Principles
of Implementation - available in a growing number of languages
ETI Purpose, Principles, Programme - which includes the Base Code and general principles concerning implementation.
ETI Resources by country/region - links to documents with particular geographic focus
ETI Library including:
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