26 June, 2024The Global Reporting Initiative is currently drafting a new set of labour standards to ensure that labour issues are addressed comprehensively and ethically. The new draft is developed by a technical committee including the ILO, the ITUC and the IOE, but more input from unions is needed to safeguard workers’ rights.
There is an increasing understanding of companies’ and organizations' responsibilities when it comes to workers’ and human rights, and protection of workers’ rights plays a key role in contributing to social justice and sustainable development.
The GRI draft standards seek data on employment practices, working time, remuneration, and management of major workplace change. The development of labor-related standards will enable organizations to publicly disclose their most significant impacts on workers and how they are managing those impacts.
There is a public comment period until 4 October, allowing stakeholders from around the world to contribute their views on the proposed standards. IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie encourages affiliated unions to provide input to make sure the result is standards that genuinely protect workers' rights and promote fair labour practices.
“Significant union input is needed in the development of these standards as it is expected that various businesses will resist the revisions. We call on all of our affiliates to engage and share their perspectives before the deadline in October to ensure that our rights upheld,"
says IndustriALL general secretary Atle Høie.
The GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) is an independent, international organization that through its guidelines helps businesses and other organizations communicate their impacts on issues like climate change, human rights and corruption. Former IndustriALL general secretary Jyrki Raina is on the board.