1. INTERNATIONAL FRAMEWORK AGREEMENTS BY DAVID KWABLA DORKENOO PSI Regional Secretary for Africa and Arab Countries

2. STRUCTURE OF PRESENTATION 1. Introduction 2. Growing Importance of Global Supply Chains 3. Labour Response is International Framework Agreements 4. Content of International Framework Agreement 5. Using IFAs As An Organizing Tool 6. Questions for discussions 7. Conclusion

3. Introduction  International Framework Agreements (IFAs) which is also known as Global Framework Agreements (GFAs) is a tool developed by Global Union Federations to bring a social dimension of economic globalization.  As companies begin to expand their operations and supply chains across various countries of the world, international trade laws have assisted them is accessing new markets and new resources in many countries particularly in developing countries.

4. Introduction  New opportunities granted to multinational corporation through the international trade agreements.  This created bad conditions for both workers in the home countries as well as those in the new found low cost countries.  No corresponding globalized social rights such as human and labour rights.

5. Growing Importance of Global Supply Chains 1. Trade liberalization and the dynamics in investment benefited the rise of the “Supply Chain Models” 2. One in five jobs can be linked to supply chains according to studies done by the ILO. 3. MNC controlled GSCs undercut the power of labour to bargain over wages and working conditions.

6. Labour Response is International Framework Agreements 1. Labour’s response to globalization of production of MNCs operations (Global Supply Chains) are International Framework Agreements (IFAs). 2. IFAs provide a rights based framework to encourage recognition of trade unions. 3. Their role is to promote labour relations at the national, sectorial and enterprise level.

7. Definition of IFAs International Framework Agreement is an instrument negotiated between a multinational enterprise and a Global Union Federation (GUF) in order to establish an ongoing relationship between the parties and ensure that the company respects the same standards in all the countries where it operates.

8. Objectives of IFAs 1. Improve the working conditions of workers in different countries across the globe. 2. Open the space for recruitment and organizing of new members at both local and global levels. 3. Development of network of union across border with the aim of strengthening their campaigns. 4. Establish regular mechanism for social dialogue at local, national and global levels. 5. Ensure the decent work agenda of the ILO is realized across the globe.

9. Most Negotiated IFAs IFAs negotiated by GUFs have increase from 5 Agreements in 2000 to over 112 Agreements as at the end of 2015.

10. Content of International Framework Agreement 1. ILO Core Convention 2. Decent Work 3. Scope and Supplier IFAs 4. Non-Discrimination 5. Violence and Harassment 6. Health and Safety 7. Skills Development and Training

11. Core Labour Standards Core labour standards refer to conventions dealing with: 1. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining (Convention 87 and 98), 2. Forced Labour Convention (Convention 29 and 105) 3. Child Labour (Convention 138 and 182), 4. Discrimination (Convention 100 and 111).

12. Scope of the IFAs 1. While the idea of a global agreement seems to imply that the agreements all cover every operation of the signatory company this is often not the case. 2. Local conditions and legislation

13. Non-Discrimination All forms of political, religious, national, ethnic, racial, linguistic, gender and age discrimination are therefore banned, as discrimination against any personal based on their personal beliefs, sexual orientation, trade union membership and activity and activity and any other form of social discrimination.

14. Violence and Harassment Some IFAs have statement which prohibits violence and discrimination. For example many IFAs state among other things that they consider harassment, abuse, intimidation and disrespectfulness to be unacceptable and such behaviours will not be tolerated in the workplace.

15. Occupational Health and Safety  Accept ILO and WHO definition of occupational health:  "the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations; the prevention amongst workers of departures from health caused by their working conditions; the protection of workers in their employment from risks resulting from factors adverse to health; the placing and maintenance of the worker in an occupational environment adapted to his physiological and psychological capabilities; and, to summarize, the adaptation of work to workers and of each worker to his/her job.”

16. Skills Development and Training 1. Many IFAs contains statement which indicate that the MNC believe that guidance and professional training to develop its human resources and skills base plays an important role in improving productivity. 2. Many IFAs contains clauses the promote the concept of Workers Participation.

17. Decent Work 1. Many IFAs contain clauses which promotes the concept of Decent Work. 2. ILO definition of “Decent Work” as work that is productive and delivers a fair income, provides security in the workplace and social protection for workers and their families, and gives people the freedom to express their concerns, to organize and to participate in decisions that affect their lives.

18. Implementation of IFAs 1. Dissemination of the signed IFAs 2. Educating relevant workers at national and local levels 3. Platform for on-going discussions (periodic meetings 4. Dispute resolution mechanisms 5. The role MNC and the GUFs

19. Monitoring of IFAs 1. MNCs need to be monitored for their commitment to the principles of the agreements they have signed. 2. Monitoring is the job of the trade unions at local, regional and global level and is less likely to feature in the agreements. 3. It is highly unlikely the company with police itself effectively. 4. Shop stewards should be empowered to monitor implementation of IFAs

20. Using IFAs As An Organizing Tool 1. The purpose of the IFAs is not only to ensure the minimum social standards for workers but also to create space for workers to organize. 2. Knowledge of the Global Supply Chain is very important in organising more members. 3. Outsourced units, Subsidiaries, Suppliers etc 4. The role of shop stewards networks

21. Questions For Discussions 1. What would you consider to be the differences between IFAs and CBAs? 2. Were you aware of the existence of IFAs before? 3. Do you know whether your trade union made use of IFAs in recent years? 4. If not could you make use of IFAs in your day-to-day work as a trade unionist?

22. Conclusion As a tool for working towards global solidarity IFAs are the beginning, not the end, of the engagement with MNCs. The main objective of IFAs is to open the space for organizing; improving working conditions and creates space for dialogue where perhaps none existed before. International Framework Agreements are crucial for effective organization of worker in MNC and their subsidiaries in Africa.

23. Conclusion Hence, the presence of GUFs in Africa is therefore vital in achieving this objective. It is necessary to see how trade unions in Africa can have their representatives participate directly in processes leading to signing of the IFAs. This is important for transfer of knowledge and experience to the trade unions in Africa.

24. MY QUOTE FOR YOU ALL “If you set goals and go after them with all the determination you can muster, your gifts will take you places that will amaze you.”

25. THANK YOU, MERCI