Report on Codes of Conduct in the Garment and Textile Industry
Seminar
Final statement
We, the participants of the Seminar on Codes of Conduct in
the Garment and Textile Industries, organised by Bread for All,
CCA-Urban Rural Mission and Documentation for Action Groups
in Asia, held in Bangkok from the 27th to the 29th of November
2001;
Realising that all workers, predominantly women workers, employed
in the garment and textile industries are confronted with the
threat of losing their jobs, deteriorating working conditions,
insufficient wages to live on and denial of their human rights
in the workplace.
Affirm that:
Years of experience with company codes of conduct have shown
the gains workers have reaped from this process may still be
a drop in the bucket. Considering the flaws, limitations and
the positive factors surrounding codes, we reiterate that adoption
of codes could provide small gains and reprieves for the workers.
Codes can also be used as effective tools in the struggle for
better, safer and adequate conditions for workers and their
communities, like those initiated by a movement such as the
Clean Clothes Campaign.
Based on our experience of working with workers at the grassroots,
there is one non-negotiable and important prerequisite for workers
struggle and advocacy campaigns. Before any code can be used
to its fullest advantage workers must be organised in a genuine
trade union.
Codes of conduct can never be more then one tool in a box.
Codes can be a good tool if they include core ILO (International
Labour Organisation) Conventions and provisions regarding health
and safety, living wages, job security, reasonable hours of
work and a process of monitoring and verification which includes
workers, unions and labour NGOs (Non Government Organisations).
Therefore, we commit ourselves the following:
All our efforts regarding codes of conduct should be seen in
the context of freedom of association, the right to organise,
collectively bargain and within a broader development and justice
perspective.
Co-operation at national and international levels between workers,
unions, religious organisations and NGOs involved in the campaign
around codes should be based on real solidarity; irrespective
of whether they are based in countries that are predominantly
producing garments, predominantly consuming them or have a mix
of both.
Central to this solidarity is:
