Establishing supply chain industrial relations through trade union networks

IndustriALL affiliates from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Vietnam who represents workers at these two multinational giants met in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to discuss ongoing issues related to wages, contracts, maternity leave, union recognition and negotiations, occupational safety and health, and collective bargaining agreements.

Network participants agreed to increase the work to build solidarity among unions in different countries to ensure that workers enjoy the same right of their freedom of association and collective bargaining throughout the supply chain of these two companies. In both network meetings, union leaders finalized the draft text of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will be submitted to the two companies with an aim to work together to build strong industrial relations at the global regional and national level.

Through the MOUs, IndustriALL and affiliates are looking forward to jointly develop a mechanism to create an enabling environment for freedom of association and collective bargaining, design and implement a grievance mechanism to ensure workers' access to remedy, and to develop capacity building activities on a factory level, including factory managers and trade union representatives, to create an enabling environment for mature industrial relations.

Christina Hajagos-Clausen, IndustriALL textile and garment director, says:

"Trade union networks are key to building worker strength within garment and shoe manufacturers. The decision to formalize the networks with company management is an important step forward to ensure sound industrial relations."