Workplaces have a role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, driving change through the United Nations Guiding Principles for Business & Human Rights and significantly, contributing to climate change ambitions through the Just Transition framework.
In international development and climate change arenas, the workplace and the workforce are ignored as a ‘community’. A community of workers who have the potential to drive significant change on multiple fronts, yes in their workplaces and then into their communities.
The ‘workplace’ whether it be farm, ship, factory, or office is a powerful platform for education and transformational activity. In some respects, it’s a captive audience and with investment of time and money, can drive local change for good. Apart from ‘fundamental workplace rights’, critical foundations, I have seen this on topics such as HIV/Aids, gender discrimination, digital literacy, nutrition, alcohol & drug abuse, carbon literacy and addressing environmental degradation.
Importantly though it builds local capacity to address local challenges and as such, moves away from human and sustainable development framed by colonialism and the charity / philanthropy model.
Currently, labour rights or human rights at work are not part of the UK’s international development mix. As these right’s impact working lives, equality, local communities, and economic development – without the protections in place, we see an escalation of abuse and exploitation across many geographies and industries.
We have significant global challenges that, in my humble opinion, demands cohesive thinking and joined up policy. What I read and hear is fragmented activity and often excludes the workplace community. The fragmentation of global activity in some respects comes down to who has the capacity to shout loudest or campaign harder. I’ve seen this happen along thematic activity, health interventions, commodity focus and of course, the decarbonisation of ……. Everything!
I make no excuses for believing in the ‘rights-based approach’ to international development – from experience – it works! Significantly it promotes local ownership and self-determination. It also hits the inclusive and empowering spot and brings much need balance to the proverbial North / South divide. Ultimately, if we truly believe the ‘leave no one behind’ slogan, then I believe we need three things to be taken seriously:
- Coherent and joined up international development policy bringing together and supports:
- The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While there are 17 goals, Decent Work (SDG8) is central to achieving all the goals.
- Climate change and environmental sustainability – as we are all aware, the alarm bells are ringing. The private sector is rapidly moving on addressing the impacts of climate change whereas Government is not. Within this is the disturbing lack of policy and support for the ‘Just Transition framework’ that is the bridge to an equitable and fair carbon neutral society world.
- The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights framework (UNGPs) that are gaining international recognition through the plethora of national laws being enacted. The Danish Institute for Human Rights[i] illustrates the human rights links between the 169 targets for the 17 SDGs.
- The workplace, here, there, and everywhere, must be viewed as a key community group in delivering on the SDGs, climate ambitions and indeed, the UNGPs. Within this, there is scope to include supply chain activity to furthering the ‘joined-up’ and holistic approach. The Ethical Trading Initiative’s 2017 report on ethical trade and the SDGs[ii] demonstrates how responsible business conduct and respect for human rights in global supply chains can be an effective way of advancing sustainable development.
- Future ring-fenced funding of overseas development aid that acknowledges the world of work as a platform for addressing future challenge’s and progresses basic rights & principles at work. To clarify, funding directed and received by organisations dedicated to improving working conditions.
By acknowledging the importance of the workplace community and protecting the most basic of workplace protections, we not only harmonise the approach to dealing with global challenges, but we also build secure foundations on which to educate and address challenges such as climate change and ‘the internet of everything’.
These most basic of rights, mapped out succinctly by the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work[iii] include ensuring freedom of association and collective bargaining, elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, abolition of child labour, promoting equality and non-discrimination and ensuring the right to a safe and healthy working environment.
The trade union movement plays a vital role in progressing the SDGs[iv], Just Transition[v] and Human Rights[vi] and yet are often excluded from UK Aid funding streams. This is repeated across the globe. As member organisations, dependent on member fees the capacity to participate, educate and advance workplace activity is severely curtailed.
Under DFID (pre-2012), I was privileged to access the Development Awareness Fund (DAF) and work with the Trade Union Congress to successfully advocate for programme funding supporting projects improving the working lives of the most vulnerable in society, to name but a few,
- Building capacity of female women & girls in the Nairobi slums to achieve Decent Work,
- Working with the ship-breaking partners in India to create safe working conditions,
- Participating in advocacy and capacity building in the aftermath of Rana Plaza in Bangladesh.
Based on experience, I have witnessed first-hand the power of the world of work to bring about positive change – with cohesive & joined up policy, supported by dedicated funding, I believe the challenges we face as people and planet can be positively addressed. By coming together with a genuine desire and openness to learn from the most vulnerable in society, we can forge a holistic way forward that rights the wrongs of the past and propels us into the future with confidence.
[i] Danish Institute for Human Rights (SDG mapping) https://sdg.humanrights.dk/en
[ii] ETI 2017 report, realise the potential of your ethical trade programme https://www.ethicaltrade.org/sites/default/files/shared_resources/ethical_trade_and_the_sdgs_0.pdf
[iii] Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work https://www.ilo.org/declaration/lang–en/index.htm
[iv] Trade Union Development Cooperation Network https://www.ituc-csi.org/tudcn
[v] Just Transition Centre https://www.ituc-csi.org/just-transition-centre
[vi] Peace, democracy, and rights (including migration & slavery) https://www.ituc-csi.org/peace-democracy-rights