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Organising in a Global Economy

Organising in a Global Economy. An ITGLWF Perspective. Aims for Session. Globalisation and its impact on organising The peculiarities of textile, clothing and footwear The ITGLWF response IFAs and Organising Some other approaches (The China Syndrome). The 4 Pillars of Globalisation.

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Organising in a Global Economy

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  1. Organising in a Global Economy An ITGLWF Perspective

  2. Aims for Session • Globalisation and its impact on organising • The peculiarities of textile, clothing and footwear • The ITGLWF response • IFAs and Organising • Some other approaches • (The China Syndrome)

  3. The 4 Pillars of Globalisation • Rapid advances in transport and communications technology • Mobile international capital • Free trade policy • Increased labour migration • Segmented and oppressed global labour markets

  4. The Global Assembly line • Garments designed in the USA • Manufactured under contract in China • by a company owned in Hong Kong • Using raw materials from all around the world. • transported to the UK in container ships carrying a flag of convenience and crewed by Filipino seafarers. • Payroll and other data tasks carried out in Asia

  5. The ‘New Economy’ in Textiles Clothing and Footwear Logistics Formal economy Suppliers Retailer Manufacturer Wholly owned subsidiaries Own label O u t s o u r c e d Informal Economy

  6. To what extent are similar patterns emerging in manufacture or service delivery in your sector?

  7. The ‘New Economy’ in Textiles Clothing and Footwear Logistics Formal economy Suppliers Retailer Manufacturer Wholly owned subsidiaries Own label O u t s o u r c e d Informal Economy Subcontractor Shop houses, sub subcontractors and homeworkers

  8. Global Supply Chains and International Framework Agreements Logistics Retailer Merchandiser Manufacturer Suppliers

  9. Strategy on IFAs • IFA – a test for Global Unions? • Ability to negotiate a collective agreement at global level • Ability to use that agreement to support organising on the ground eg Accor Hotels • Entry point however is via a well organised HQ MNC • What happens when this is not the case?

  10. Trade Union Organisation in the supply chain MNC Formal economy Subsidiary - Wholly owned contractor subcontractor Informal Economy Homeworkersfreelancers

  11. Code of conduct IFAs MNC e.g. Nike Formal economy Subsidiary contractor No Production! subcontractor Informal Economy Homeworkersfreelancers

  12. Corporate Social responsibilityModel 1(Buyer) eg Nike Implementation Monitoring Verification Reporting Code

  13. The Code Problem Eg Supplier Factory in Central America Current situation

  14. CSR Model 2 Implementation Monitoring Verification Reporting Multi Stakeholder Initiative

  15. Successful campaigns to disclose locations of suppliers/contractors

  16. Sectoral Framework Agreement on Trade Union Rights

  17. Dealing with a Freedom of Association violation

  18. Limitations • Disclosure of locations does not lead to wide scale organising • Tackling violations via IFA or MSI involvement is piecemeal and reactive • Does not tackle the crucial issue of access for organisers

  19. Our approach • GS and GUF staff involvement in major MSIs • Bespoke framework agreements on trade union rights • Research on organising targets • Major suppliers / brands • Regional meetings with csr staff from brands • National meetings between csr staff, suppliers EPZ managers and government officials on FOA and access

  20. Questions • What experience do we have of IFAs or codes of conduct or other instruments being used as organising levers? • What is happening specifically around the issue of trade union access in your sector? • How does your GUF approach the issue of freedom Of Association in China?

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