|
CCC Reference Guide on Code Implementation & Verification
Section 4. Critical issues on code implementation and verification
Worker Education and training
Codes cannot be effective when workers are not aware that they exist,
nor of the rights enshrined in them, nor of the means available to exercise
these rights.
First attempts to ensure this largely consisted of translating the
codes and pasting them to the wall, and/or handing out leaflets or cards
with the code standards to workers. When realizing that by itself this
does not create an informed workplace, more responsive companies have
engaged with trade unions and NGOs in developing more in-depth education
and training programmes and pilot projects.
Experiences thus far point to the importance of ensuring that workers
are provided with the time necessary to participate in such programmes,
and re-assurance that they will not lose their jobs if they get involved.
It is also crucial to provide education on workers rights in the context
of national labour law, not just on codes of conduct.
It is also important to distinguishing between education and training:
education is a process whereby people learn about something in order
to draw their own conclusions. Training, by contrast, provides information
and skills for a particular purpose. Providing for education and training
is especially important to ensure freedom of association. A real issue
of concern among labour rights groups is the extent to which worker
education and training programmes are conducted independent from management
influence, and the terms should not be developed or set by the buyers.
Available Resources
The following sites provides an overview of educational booklets for
garment workers: Worker education on codes. It discusses that workers
need to know what their rights are and how there relate to codes of
conduct
-
 A
booklet series for garment workers in Africa
As the number of Multinationals that either produce or source in
Africa continues to increase so do the challenges that are faced
by workers and trade unions. Workers have risen to meet these challenges
and it is in support of their struggle that these booklets have
been produced. The booklets have been designed as an educational
tool to provide a wide range of information, from contextual issues
of the garment sector in global trade to practical considerations
for shop stewards.
2005 - IRENE, CSRSC, SOMO, EED AND FNV
-
 March
2003, Education booklet for workers A
Call to action
Organising garment workers in Southern Africa
-
May 2000, Addressing Corporate Conduct,
A Roundtable Exploring Initiatives at the Workplace, National, and
Multilateral Levels
-
May 2000, Workers education
and information on codes of conduct
Irene / Clean clothes Campaigns seminar
-
 March
2000, Handbook on workers' rights in the
global economy
-
March 2000, Pocket guide to workers'
rights , Women working Worldwide
-
Dec 2002, Reebok in China: Worker elections
in two supplier factories
-
Dec 1999, Report on seminar 'Workers'
Education and Information on Codes of Conduct'
-
Dec 1999 Workers' Education and Information
on Codes of Conduct Introduction and Summary
-
"Workers' Education and Information on Codes
of Conduct"
Introduction and seminar program Dec 1999
In April 1999 an international steering committee
was set up to draft the programme for a seminar on workers' education
and information on codes of conduct.
*List of participants
*Report on seminar
*Recource guide
*Report of the seminar in french
-
May 99, REPORT ON THE CENTRAL AMERICA REGIONAL WORKSHOP:
"ETHICAL TRADING AND CODES OF CONDUCT"
-
July 1998, Corporate Codes of Conduct: Can
They Help Cambodian Workers? Curriculum for a training program
for workers and labor activists in Cambodia, designed by Phil Robertson.
-
Dec 1998, Involving Workers in the Debate
on Company Codes:
Women Working Worldwide's Education and Consultation Project
- Oct 1998, RESPONDING TO GLOBALISATION - INTERNATIONAL
STUDY CIRCLES
The role of workers' education, Alana Dave
|
