The issue of labour rights is often blurred in the global supply chain. This is the review by Oxfam announced at the workshop on its labour rights findings, held recently by Oxfam in Hanoi.
At this workshop, Oxfam released the report "Labour rights in the supply chain of Unilever: From complying with the law to practicing in reality". This report is based on research in Vietnam on the actual working conditions at the Unilever factory and Unilever supply chain, and compares the findings with global commitment policy of the company.
Over the years, Oxfam has been encouraging enterprises and multinational companies in Vietnam to take action to improve working conditions for workers in the global supply chain. However, a lot of people in the value chain of multinational companies around the world still work in poor conditions, in contrast to management policies which appear so good. With a desire to improve labour standards for its employees and workers, Unilever agreed with Oxfam's proposal to conduct this research. In Vietnam, Unilever has around 1,500 workers producing household personal care products and food. It has a quite large supply chain.
The report focused on two main objectives, namely assessing labour standards of companies and the supply chain of Unilever; and considering international standards and local conditions to build principles and methods to guide Unilever and other companies in the exercise of social responsibility, as a supplement to existing measures to ensure the working environment.
Accordingly, the four selected issues focus on: freedom of association and collective bargaining, living wage, hours of work, and labour contracts.
Oxfam's research has shown that the issue of labour rights is often blurred in the global supply chain. In Unilever's supply chain; more than half of business respondents did not know Unilever's labour standard requirements. This can be seen in low wages, long working hours and temporary employment.
Unilever has committed to respecting and promoting human rights through the application of the guiding principles of the United Nations on business and human rights. The company’s policies provide a logical framework, they lack commitment on ensuring a living wage, but commit to avoid the restrictions on temporary employment.
Mr Andy Baker, Head of Oxfam representative in Vietnam, said: "Oxfam appreciates the willingness of Unilever in publishing information about the company and its supply chain for Oxfam staff as well as for the researching team, which was reflected by the high level of information transparency and real commitment in aligning with relevant agencies." However, Mr Andy Baker also hopes that "this study will encourage Unilever to commit in reviewing their business models, as well as other companies to be more open to the challenges of the region which is already very diverse."
The workshop also set goals leading discussions and encouraging action among companies, government, and civil society on how to reduce the gap between international standards and policies of global companies in the context of the real conditions of workers.
Mai Anh
Vietnamese
