To encourage the positive contribution of companies and minimize the negative impacts of their operations, the ILO has tools to help companies implement inclusive and sustainable working conditions and processes. For example, the ILO Helpdesk or the project SCORE.
Besides, there is a National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
The ILO Helpdesk for Business is a valuable resource for company managers and workers seeking information on how to better align their business operations with international labour standards and build good industrial relations. Specific queries on applying principles of international labour standards in company operations can be directly submitted by email to assistance@ilo.org or telephone +41 (0)22 799 62 64 (fax +41 (0)22 799 63 54).
This free and confidential service is also aimed at government agencies, employers and workers organisations, and other interested organisations. The responses are drafted by a team of experts at the International Labour Office and are based on legislative instruments, strategic documents and ILO tools.
The goal of SCORE (Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises) is to improve productivity and working conditions in small and medium supplier companies based in developing and emerging countries. Developed jointly by SECO and the ILO, the SCORE programme offers training and advises businesses on workplace cooperation, quality management, occupational health and safety, human resource management and clean production. Training is currently being provided in Bolivia, China, Colombia, Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Myanmar, Peru, Tunisia and Vietnam for SMEs operating in the textile, automotive, tourism, agricultural and many other industries. SCORE services contribute to improving working conditions and increasing productivity. This in turn helps secure long-term contracts with companies in industrialised countries and provides decent job opportunities in developing countries.
How can a Swiss company help its suppliers obtain SCORE training?
Swiss businesses can get their suppliers to benefit from SCORE training by becoming a partner of the SCORE programme, by participating in the SCORE programme through a business federation, or by working directly with a certified SCORE trainer.
Additional information: here
Contact : here
The National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises promotes the observance of the Guidelines and discusses with the parties concerned all relevant issues (including human rights) to contribute to the resolution of any problems which might arise. The NCP mainly has a mediation role but it is also a contact point for the prevention of problems related to the responsible conduct of companies.
For more information: Swiss National Contact Point
Private certification schemes have become increasingly relevant in recent years as they allow companies to address sustainability issues and risks along the supply chain and make their commitment to sustainability visible. Certification systems define human rights criteria for process and production methods and have these audited by independent bodies in order to certify companies, products or production processes. They thereby contribute to better protection of human rights and support companies in their due diligence. However, certifications can usually not fully replace human rights due diligence procedures according to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights or the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, as they do not cover all relevant internationally recognised human rights. Certifications mostly concern the specific human rights of the world of work, i.e. the ILO core labour standards. Thus, while certification systems provide an ideal vantage point for and support human rights due diligence procedures, they often cannot yet replace a comprehensive human rights risk analysis according to UN and OECD standards.
Faitrade Max Havelaar
At Fairtrade Max Havelaar, for example, compliance with numerous human rights is required by the Fairtrade Standard. This includes, in particular, the prohibition of child labour (in accordance with ILO Conventions 138 and 182). The certification body FLOCERT verifies that the requirements are met. However, a ban alone does not solve the problem, which is why Fairtrade demands prevention and education. If a Fairtrade producer organisation is located in a country where the likelihood of child labour is very high or if the product is at risk of child labour, the organisation must take measures. It is recommended, for example, to introduce its own monitoring and correction system against child labour. Individual cooperatives (financed with the help of the Fairtrade premium and with technical support from Fairtrade) have already implemented the trend-setting Youth Inclusive Community Based Monitoring and Remediation Model (YICBMR). In addition to the standard for producer organisations, there are product standards. For products with a high risk of child labour, such as coffee and cocoa, additional obligations are set.
Fairtrade certification is thus an efficient instrument to avoid and mitigate certain human rights risks in the supply chain. Beyond the standard, companies can mitigate human rights risks with targeted Fairtrade programmes or advisory services in the sense of a best practice approach and address company priorities.
Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA)
Another example is the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA), a multi-stakeholder initiative founded in 2013 to strengthen compliance with human rights and humanitarian law by private security providers. ICoCa acts as a governance and monitoring mechanism for the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Companies. The association also provides a certification mechanism for private security companies. More information: https://icoca.ch/
