Decent work in global value chains

The global economy is organised in highly complex value chains. Unfortunately, human and workers' rights are widely violated by companies (and with the connivance of states). This is shown by annual reports of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). 

Our trade union cooperation aims at strengthening international workers' rights and social standards. The ILO is still the central place in the UN system where standards are set and monitored. For example, the recently adopted ILO Convention on Violence at Work is a major step forward towards better working conditions. Instruments such as the Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises produced by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), whose implementation we promote in cooperation with the Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC), complement this body of rules. 

The increasing legalisation of human rights due diligence obligations of companies is a central field of action for reorienting economic activities. We promote these regulations in Germany and internationally. 

The central place for demanding respect for human rights is multinational companies. Therefore, our trade union cooperation with global unions promotes the development of effective trade union networks in companies like Amazon, Fresenius, HeidelbergCement, BASF etc. Global framework agreements are one form of such negotiation processes. 

Mega sporting events such as the Olympic Games or the Football World Cup are also opportunities to demand human and workers' rights from companies and event organisers. Our cooperation with the Building and Woodworkers International (BHI) bears witness to at least partial successes in South Africa, Brazil and Qatar. 

In addition, unions are increasingly engaging in a systematic analysis of value networks and their strategic approaches to action within them. We promote cross-union initiatives in the battery supply chain and in the drastically changing mobility sector.