Skip to main content
Home

User Menu

  • Log in

Main menu

  • Home
  • About ETI
    • Our members
    • What we do
    • Why we exist
      • ETI's origins
    • Our impact for workers
    • Accountability
    • Funding
    • Our strategy
    • Our team
      • ETI Board members
    • Contact
  • ETI Base Code
    • 1. Employment is freely chosen
    • 2. Freedom of association
    • 3. Working conditions are safe and hygienic
    • 4. Child labour shall not be used
    • 5. Living wages are paid
    • 6. Working hours are not excessive
    • 7. No discrimination is practiced
    • 8. Regular employment is provided
    • 9. No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed
  • Programmes
  • Join ETI
  • Training
    • All courses
    • Human rights essentials
    • E-learning module: Access to remedy principles
    • Bespoke training
  • Resources
    • Case studies
  • Issues
    • Gender equity
      • Violence and harrassment
      • Gender data initiative
      • Gender equality - international standards
      • Gender equality - resources
    • Homeworkers
    • COVID-19
    • Grievance mechanisms & remedy
    • Union rights at work
    • Due diligence
      • ETI’s work on human rights due diligence
        • ETI’s work in Pakistan
        • Pakistan, labour rights resources
      • Resources on human rights due diligence
    • Company purchasing practices
      • Working conditions in the Leicester garment industry
    • A living wage for workers
      • Living wage initiatives
      • Living wage resources
      • Living wage standards
      • Wages and purchasing theories
    • Modern slavery
      • Modern slavery and transparency standards
      • Modern slavery initiatives
      • Modern slavery resources
      • Modern slavery evaluation framework
    • Public procurement & responsible business
    • Migrant workers
    • Business and human rights in India
    • Child labour
    • HIV at work
    • Ethical trade and fairtrade
  • Blog
  • Events

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. faq

Isn’t it the job of government to protect workers?

Yes – we believe it is the role of governments to make and enforce laws that protect the rights of workers. This should create the environment in which workers are free to join trade unions and bargain with their employers.

But - the reality for workers is often very far from this ideal. In many countries:

  • law enforcement aimed at protecting workers is weak
  • the environment is hostile to trade union organisation
  • few of the predominantly women workers in the garment and agricultural industries are trade union members.

ETI and our members can play a vital role in helping improve law enforcement, as well as promoting freedom of association for workers through their code implementation activities.

FAQ subject
General

More frequently asked questions

  • What is the difference between Foundation stage and full members?
  • Is ethical trade just for large companies?
  • I only want to buy from your best performing members. Can you provide me with the list?
  • How do you hold companies to account?
  • What do you expect of members?
  • Is ETI a certification scheme?

Get the latest

Subscribe to our email newsletters and stay up to speed on ethical trade.
Subscribe

ETI elsewhere

  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Footer

  • ETI Community
  • Accessibility
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Jobs at ETI
  • Press resources
  • Privacy
Other ETIs: Denmark, Norway, Sweden
Ethical Trading Initiative | Registered No. 3578127