Join ETI

Who we are

ETI is a leading alliance of trade unions, NGOs and businesses. We work together with key stakeholders to promote practical solutions to end the abuse of human rights at work.  

Our mission is to advocate for the most vulnerable workers, by harnessing the power of a diverse and growing membership.   

Our work is governed by our tripartite board, comprised of trade union, NGO and company member representatives.

Company membership

Advancing human rights in global supply chains.

What it involves 

Company members collaborate to improve human rights in their supply chains. As well as the moral case, there is a strong business case for joining ETI, including increasing resilience, managing risk, ensuring compliance and preparing for future legislation, appealing to investors, and building consumer trust and brand integrity. 

The features of company membership include:  

  • Progression and accountability: Supporting your approach to human rights
    • Annual progression meetings: Discuss progress, expert feedback and guidance from ETI.   
    • ETI Progression Framework: A practical tool to support members implementing the ETI Base Code and guide their continuous improvement.   
    • Accountability tools: Commit to ETI’s Member Charter and Corporate Transparency Framework. Join as a Foundation Member, and request graduation to Full Member once all minimum requirements have been met.  
  • Collective action: Convening the membership to find solutions
    • Sector-specific workstreams to address priority human rights issues in different supply chains.   
    • Thematic focus areas within our five-year strategy: Transitions & Futures, Business Practices, Gender.  
    • Reactive support and crisis management: Collaborate on initiatives focused on supply chains in conflict-affected and high-risk areas (for example, war in Ukraine or crisis in Myanmar), and supply chain-specific issues (including support on remediation and base code violations).  
  • Enabling environment: Sharing knowledge and influencing responsible business
    • Global initiatives applying practical action to human rights issues in supply chains.   
    • Sharing knowledge through communication channels.  
    • Tripartite engagement, both individually and collectively.   
    • Community support with networking, events and our ETI Community site, an online members-only platform.  

How to apply 

If you are thinking about joining ETI, please email us. We will discuss what membership involves and whether you are ready to sign up to ETI's membership commitments. If we agree that your company has the commitment and capacity to become a member, we will invite you to complete an application. This application will then be reviewed by our tripartite board at their quarterly meetings. The process typically takes about three months.  

ETI company members pay an annual fee based on their turnover; enter your company's annual turnover here to calculate your fee. There is a one-off application fee of £900.

NGO membership

Bringing human rights expertise and community-based experience.

What it involves 

NGO members provide expertise on labour rights and offer experience of diverse communities around the world.   

NGO caucus meetings are held regularly, organised by our NGO Co-ordinator Peter Williams. Trade union and NGO members can directly influence business, both one-on-one and collectively, by sharing knowledge and guiding continuous improvement on human rights. They also play a vital role in providing expert insight and guidance on ETI’s work, whether it’s our position on a specific issue or our involvement in a specific initiative.  

How to apply 

Applications are considered by the NGO caucus at their quarterly meetings. If you are interested in membership, you are welcome to attend two caucus meetings before making a final decision.  

The annual membership fee for large NGOs is £5,000. Smaller NGOs do not pay a membership fee and can apply to ETI for funding to help cover the costs of participating in ETI activities.  

Contact ETI's NGO Co-ordinator Peter Williams to find out more about NGO membership. 

Trade union membership 

Amplifying worker voice around the world.

What it involves 

Trade union members ensure workers remain at the heart of our work.   

Trade union caucus meetings are held regularly, organised by our Trade Union Co-ordinator Stephen Craig. Trade union and NGO members can directly influence business, both one-on-one and collectively, by sharing knowledge and guiding continuous improvement on human rights. They also play a vital role in providing expert insight and guidance on ETI’s work, whether it’s our position on a specific issue or our involvement in a specific initiative.  

How to apply 

If your trade union is a member of the following organisations, then you are already a trade union member and are welcome to get involved in ETI's work:  

  • IUF (uniting food, farm and hotel workers worldwide)  
  • The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)  
  • The Trades Union Congress in the UK  

Trade unions do not pay an ETI membership fee.  

Contact us for more information about trade union activities within ETI.