1. Global Framework Agreements: An Overview Trade union strategies for workers’ rights in the global supply chain of MNCs

2. Growing Importance of Global Supply Chains (GSC)
Trade liberalization and the dynamics in international investment benefited the rise of the “supply chain model”.
One in five jobs can be linked to supply chains (ILO 2015).
MNE-controlled GSCs undercut the power of labour to bargain over wages and working conditions.
A plethora of voluntary forms of regulation has emerged since the 1980s:
Codes of conduct – Human Rights Policies (company level)
Global Compact of the United Nations
Certification schemes - ISO by the International Organization for Standardization
“CSR Industry“
The challenge: Labour relations are largely missing in these initiatives.

3. Labour's Response: Global Framework Agreements
Labour’s response to globalization of production of MNEs operations (supply chains) are Global Framework Agreements (GFAs).
The added value of GFAs compared to other initiatives is that they are the outcome of direct negotiations between the representatives of management and workers in a MNE.
GFAs provide a rights based framework to encourage recognition of trade unions.
Their role is to promote labour relations at the national, sectorial and enterprise level.

4. Labour's Response: Global Framework Agreements

5. Background: Global Framework Agreements
ILO
“an instrument negotiated between a multinational enterprise and a Global Union Federation (GUF) in order to establish an on-going relationship between the parties and ensure that the company respects the same standards in all the countries where it operates.”
IndustriALL
“Global framework agreements are negotiated between IndustriALL and multinational companies to protect the rights and working conditions of people at all stages of a multinational company’s global supply chain, including people working for suppliers and contractors.”

6. Background: Global Framework Agreements
The most recent GFAs (2009 – May 2015).
ThyssenKrupp, Total, Gamesa, Telefónica, AEON, Acconia, Sacyr, Inditex, Salino- Impregilo, Dragados, Svenska Cellulosa, Codere, Loomis, Solvay, Melia, Enel, Norske Skog, Metro, Telenor, Renault, Statoil, Lafarge, Aker, Eurosport, OHL, Siemens, Saab, Ferrovial, Ford, MAN, Securitas, Lukoil, FCC Contruccion, Sodexo, Umicore, Mizuno, Petrobras, ZF Friedrichshafen, Mann + Hummel, GDF Suez, Norsk Hydro, Pfleiderer, PSA Citroen, AB Electrolux, Telkom Indonesia, Antara, Malaysia Berhad, Shoprite Checkers, Wilkhahn, AngloAshanti, Tel Telecomunicaciones, Elanders, EDF, ENI.
Companies from 13 different countries
Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, USA
Direct employers for 4.8 million workers

7. Background: GlobalFramework Agreements
Number of GFAs apportioned by Global Trade Union Federations (GUFs)
Graph created by the author (n=112)

8. Background: International Framework Agreements
Number of GFAs apportioned by headquarters’ location
1-3 GFAs
4-9 GFAs
> 9 GFAs
Figure created by the author (n=112)

9. Global Framework Agreements
Minimum content:
Reference to ILO core labor standards.
Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining (Conventions 87 and 98);
Discrimination (Conventions 100 and 111);
Forced Labour (Conventions 29 and 105);
Child Labour (Conventions 138 and 182).

10. Global Framework Agreements
Minimum content:
Recognition of fundamental labor and human rights standards.
References in GFAs. Table created by the author (n=54)

11. Global Framework Agreements
Minimum content:
Cover all company operations throughout the world without exception.
Reference to suppliers and subcontractors.
Guarantee a commitment from the company to treat unions positively, and refrain from all anti-union activities and to remain strictly neutral.
Union representatives should have a reasonable access to the workplace.
Contain an effective mechanism for implementation, enforcement and a procedure for binding dispute resolution.

12. Were you aware of the existence of GFAs before?
Discussion
Were you aware of the existence of GFAs before?
Do you know whether your trade union made use of GFAs in recent years?
If not, how could you make use of GFAs in your day-to-day work?