Unions call on OECD Governments to strengthen OECD rules for multinationals

Trade unions representing millions of workers took part in discussions with the OECD on responsible business conduct on 27-28 March. Union officials from eleven OECD countries and global union federations representing workers in transportation, manufacturing, mining, infrastructure and construction called for improvements to revised OECD’s standards for responsible business which are due to be adopted in May.

The Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC) encourages governments to back changes to improve the lives of  working people in the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and to give workers a voice at work.

The OECD Guidelines still need significant improvements, and TUAC calls on the OECD to

• Strengthen wording on workers’ rights to form and join trade unions
• Ensure a socially just transition to a greener economy with governments, companies and unions working together to create new jobs
• Make all companies in the supply chain implement responsible business standards
• Give National Contact Points the means to deal effectively with complaints about violations of OECD responsible business standards.

Veronica Nilsson, Acting General Secretary of TUAC, said “Governments must back updates to the Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises to improve the lives of working people in the OECD and in developing countries.

“The OECD has to ensure that the freedom to form or join a trade union and to collectively bargain becomes a reality for all workers in the OECD and wherever companies from OECD countries operate. Working people should have a say in the workplace.

“Trade unions want to work with the OECD and Governments to improve the implementation of  OECD Guidelines for MNEs and ensure that they remain relevant in the years to come.”

The consultations within the OECD are taking place ahead of the 10^th anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh – on 24 April where over 1000 workers died when a building complex housing garment factories collapsed.

Governments are considering final revisions intended for adoption by the OECD Council in May.

TUAC represents 58 trade unions representing 60 million workers in OECD member countries.