The participants at the Managua workshop spoke of a variety of
difficulties in broaching the subject of codes of conduct with
the workers. Many people had not heard of codes of conduct before
and this was their first contact with the idea.
Generally the workshops were found to be valuable the educational
materials were informative and are useful training resource for
facilitators. However it was felt that the educational materials
could have been made more accessible to women workers. It was
felt it would be useful to include an introductory section about
the global supply chain of the export processing industry so that
workers can appreciate; their role; where the struggle for labour
rights fits in and the importance and usefulness of codes of conduct.
It was also suggested that there should be an explanation of what
a mother company is and the role the consumer in the North plays
in defending the rights of women working in the export processing
industry.
Suggestion for changes in the educational materials:
Use of imagery and drawings
Less written text, more simplified language
Workshop to be designed in modules
Different materials for facilitators and participants
Use of more colloquial language
Finally, since the women are part of a project which also involves
women workers in Asia, it would be interesting to know more about
the situation they face and what action they are taking in defence
of their rights.
It was also suggested that pilot workshops or training of facilitators
could be carried out before the workshops themselves in order
to try out the materials and agree on the objectives and methodology.
6. Monitoring and Verification
During the last day of the workshop issues were discussed related
to the verification and certification within the SA 8000 framework,
independent monitoring and other forms of monitoring currently
in use. (see Appendices IV-VI)
7. Proposals for future work
One of the key areas identified for future work was the need
for capacity building in the South to enable the formulation of
proposals. It was highlighted that it is not enough to simply
oppose existing monitoring initiatives but rather it is important
to find a way in which these processes can be altered to be more
transparent, incorporate the opinions of workers and are eventually
endorsed by civil society. For this to happen it is crucial that
allies are developed in civil society at a national level, within
the region and at an international level, in consumer countries.
The other two principle areas for future work are: training in
labour rights, codes of conduct and the different types of monitoring
both for workers and for organisations who are working to promote
labour rights; and strengthening ties between trade unions and
women's organisations.
Discussion group at the Regional Workshop on codes of conduct.
Representatives from the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Costa
Rica and Canada.
Plans for future work in each country
- organise workshops to raise awareness about codes of conduct
- the strengthening of ties between trade unions and women workers
organisations
Costa Rica:
- continue with the training on codes of conduct
- more research on monitoring processes
El Salvador:
- continue with training on codes of conduct
- carry out a publicity campaign directed at women workers
- promote awareness within trade unions about codes of conduct
- improve communication channels at regional level and with organisations
in the North
Nicaragua:
- work together with women in trade unions to raise awareness
about codes of conduct through training and publicity campaigns.
Mexico:
- awareness raising about codes of conduct and monitoring within
the Women Maquila Workers Network .
Future work at regional level It was proposed to hold a regional
workshop on monitoring, not just for training but also to form
alliances and formulate strategies* establish links and the exchange
of information about codes of conduct and monitoring
* to speed up intra regional communication and communication with
the North
* MEC agreed to organise a regional workshop
at this regional workshop a representative from Council for Economic
Priorities would be invited to talk about SA8000, representatives
from the Apparel Partnership Initiative and from transnational
companies would also be invited.
Future work with Asia
* Representatives from Asia would be invited to the regional meeting
on monitoring
* Organisations in the North (WWW, CAWN, AMRC) will be requested
to facilitate information exchange and the development of relations
between the two continents.
Suggestions for ETI
* Information to be sent to Central America on the ETI pilot projects
* To promote the setting up of a small ETI office in Central America
* To inform organisations in Central America of British companies
that have a sourcing base in Central America
