For 'Overseas Vendors'
ILGWU, EMPLOYERS PACT SETS WORKERS' CODE
International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union
Two New York locals of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) and
three industry associations are operating under a three-year code of conduct on workers'
rights for the employers' overseas contractors and subcontractors.
Under a collective accord signed in June 1995 and running through May 1997, the union
and industry parties agreed to a "Code of Conduct for Overseas Vendors" that
touch upon key human-rights areas covered by conventions of the ILO, including the right
to freedom of association.
Signatories to the agreement are ILGWU Local 23-25 and Local 10 and the New York Skirt
and Sportswear Association, Inc.; National Association of Blouse Manufacturers, Inc., and
Industrial Association of Juvenile Apparel Manufacturers, Inc.
The code covers wages, working hours, forced or compulsory labor, child labor, freedom
of association, discrimination, disciplinary practices, job safety and health and
monitoring of the workplace practices of contractors and subcontractors.
In terms of monitoring, the code says, "The employer shall obtain from each vendor
a signed statement indicating its understanding of this Code of Conduct."
Moreover, the agreement stipulates, "Annually, employers shall provide the union
with a complete list of its vendors and the products and/or services which they provide to
the employer. An employer shall make every reasonable effort to insure that its vendors
comply with this code, which may include termination of the employers' relationship with
the vendor."
Following is a summary of the basic components of the code:
- Wages: "Vendors shall comply with applicable local labor laws and provide wages and
benefits at a rate at least equal to prevailing local standards."
- Working hours: "Vendors shall comply with applicable local labor laws governing
working hours and pay."
- Forced or compulsory labor: "Vendors shall not use forced or other compulsory
labor, including labor that is required as a means of political coercion or as punishment
for holding or for peacefully expressing political views. Corporal punishment or other
forms of mental or physical coercion by vendors shall not be tolerated."
- Child labor: "Vendors shall comply with locally applicable law regarding child
labor."
- Freedom of association: "If permitted by local law, vendors shall respect the right
of employees to establish and join organizations of their own choosing, and abide by local
standards regarding freedom of association. Vendors shall not penalize any employee
because of his or her exercise of this right. If permitted by local law, vendors shall
recognize and respect the right of all of their employees to organize, bargain
collectively, and to strike and vendors shall not:
- discharge or threaten with discharge employees in order to discourage union activity;
- close or threaten to close a facility in order to discharge union activity, or
- use force or violence, or threaten to use force or violence in order to discourage union
activity."
- Discrimination: "Vendors shall comply with all applicable local labor laws
governing discrimination in the workplace on the basis of personal characteristics rather
than the applicant or employee's ability to do the job. Vendors shall comply with all
local laws regarding sexual harassment in the workplace."
- Disciplinary practices: "Vendors shall not use corporal punishment or other forms
of mental or physical coercion."
- Safe and healthy work environment: "Vendors shall comply with all local laws and
regulations regarding safety in the workplace. Vendors which provide residential
facilities for their employees must likewise comply with local laws and
regulations..."