Integrating Rights In Value Chain & Local Development Tim De Meyer Bangkok, 23 June 2010

1. Integrating Rights In Value Chain & Local Development Tim De Meyer Bangkok, 23 June 2010

2. “For the ILO, enterprise development is not just a matter of market forces unleashed, it is fundamentally about creating decent jobs” (Employment Policies for Social Justice and a Fair Globalization, Recurrent Item Report on Employment, ILC 2010, 94)

3. “The worst crime against working people is a company which fails to operate at a profit” “What does labor [trade unions] want? We want more school houses and less jails. More books and less guns. More learning and less vice. More leisure and less greed. More justice and less revenge. We want more ... opportunities to cultivate our better natures.” (Samuel Gompers, founding trade union leader of the ILO, pioneer of collective bargaining)

4. Means – • we fundamentally believe in entrepreneurship and free trade, because initiative, innovation and competition create value • ... value being understood not as an accountant’s definition of profit, but as what improves standards of living for a proportionately significant number of people and so “worth money” ...

5. so that enterprises which create profit for a happy few, but stagnant or suppressed standards of living for many are NOT supported, e.g. • because profits and increased value are not “recycled” into higher value for society through collective bargaining, social security or taxation • because the operation poses a danger to the safety and health of workers and communities (OSH) • because the enterprise depletes human capital before it is maximized (child labour) • ...

6. Concretely, we encourage • the spirit of free (and socially responsible) enterprise – big, medium or small • ... encouraging diversity • the incubation of enterprises and a favourable business environment to operate in • removal of discriminatory barriers to business (C111)

7. competition between companies in order to generate more efficient use of resources • exposing to (fair) competition those who work for their own account • ... and shielding against competition as regards minimum standards those who work in a situation of subordination and dependence (R198) ~ minimum employment standards (role of standards and legally binding norms)

8. if a significant number of enterprises across the board experience problems, we advise monetary (e.g. easier credit) and fiscal (e.g. tax benefits) stimulation measures • if a marginal number of enterprises competing in the same markets experience problems, they disappear at minimum social cost • ... because enterprise development is not end in itself

9. Social Justice Economic, social and political situation which delivers to all people a fair reward for the wealth they directly or indirectly help to generate

10. Fair Globalization Globalization has enormous potential for economic growth, employment creation and innovation ... ... but also for unfair outcomes in the form of income inequality, poverty, growth of unprotected work and informal economy

11. Decent Work Simultaneous action to ensure that • people have (employed or self-employed) jobs • providing reasonable protection of personal life and family income • providing opportunities to actively participate in society • ... based on freedom and dignity

12. International Labour Standards • Guide action on ALL 4 DW objectives • Since 1919, 188 Conventions & 200 Recommendations adopted • 77 C (+ 5 Protocols) & 78 R are up-to-date • other instruments are up for revision, abrogation, review … over time

13. Eight are up-to-date fundamental C., setting standards on 4 principles at work fundamental to globalization (Declaration on Fund Principles & Rights at Work, 1998) • freedom of association and collective bargaining • elimination of forced labour • abolition of child labour • elimination of discrimination at work

14. Four are governance Conventions • employment policy • labour inspection • industry and commerce • agriculture • tripartite consultation