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"Workers' Education and Information
on Codes of Conduct"
Introduction and seminar program
Evangelische Akademie Muelheim/Ruhr, Germany
December 13-15, 1999
In April 1999 an international steering committee was set up to
draft the programme for a seminar on workers' education and information
on codes of conduct. Over the months this group worked via fax and
e-mail to think through the issues, develop a list of possible participants,
and to discuss what ouputs should be generated following the seminar.
A list of the people who participated in the steering
committee can be found at the end of the programme. Below is
a brief introduction and then the programme itself.
An Introduction to the Issues to be Raised:
The members of the steering committee expressed a great deal of
interest in taking up many different issues, including monitoring
systems, the content of codes, the involvement of auditors versus
governments, labeling issues, worker-controlled unions and their
possible role within the monitoring process, etc. All these issues
are interconnected and relevant for people concerned with labour
rights, and in the more specific context of worker education. At
the same time it was often mentioned that the central issue for
us to discuss is how to ensure that workers are informed enough
to be able to participate in these debates, if they wish to, and
to decide for themselves which strategies they choose to pursue
their own empowerment. (We say "workers" but of course
this can also mean a trade union or other workers organisation that
is in direct contact with workers, consists of workers, has worker
membership, advocacy and support organizations, etc.)
Where do codes fit in, from the perspective of workers and the
strategies that workers choose to pursue to better their working
conditions? Following the belief above, regarding the importance
of worker education in advancing all the related debates, is the
idea that workers should optimally be in a position where they know
enough to be able to decide if they want to use codes as a tool
or not, if a code represents retreat or progress in a given situation,
and in what way they will or will not participate in initiatives,
such as consumer campaigning or monitoring pilots.
We felt the seminar should really hone in on this issue of education
and access to information, because it is an issue that has not received
enough attention. It's crucial at this stage in the codes and monitoring
debates that the relatively small circle of well-informed, active
organisations is expanded to include organisations that are knowledgeable
on educational issues and practices. In the context of codes and
monitoring discussions "training" and "education"
are emerging with such frequency and, in some cases lack of content,
that they take on the appearance of buzzwords. We want to ensure
that the vast experience that already exists in the field of worker
education is drawn into these debates and used where possible.
There already are links between campaigning, organizing, and education,
but what are they and importantly, what are the differences? Participants
bring with them experiences in specific programmes, some more on
education or awareness raising, some more on campaigning and monitoring.
One of the main things we want to do during this seminar is to learn
from those experiences.
Though we've just gone through why education is the central issue
to be taken up during this conference, there are a number of monitoring
issues that are on a lot of our minds--that's why we've set some
time aside in the agenda (Tuesday evening) for those of us who want
to use this opportunity of being together to have some of these
discussions. Whatever the outcome of the different monitoring issues,
information on workers education needs to be shared and then problematized
and we need to do it know.
At the end of the conference we want to have a better understanding
and ideas on: methods of education, the context in which such educational
programs should be conveyed, who should be the participants in such
programs, who should be giving them, where they should be given,
and, importantly, the content of such educational programs.
SEMINAR PROGRAMME
DAY ONE: Monday, December 13, 1999
1 : 00 - 1:30 p.m. Welcome and Introductory session:
Aim of the seminar and an introduction to the issues to be raised
1:30 - 2:45 p.m. Session 1: The Women Working Worldwide (WWW) codes
education project, presentaion of experiences and follow-up activities.
Facilitation and overview of the WWW project: Celia Mather. Presentation
by Simy Gulzar (Working Womens Organisation, Lahore, Pakistan) on
the project in Asia; Josefa Rivera (MEC, Nicaragua) on the project
in Nicaragua; and Jane Turner (CAWN, UK) on the project work in
other parts of Central America.
2:45 - 3: 00 p.m.: short coffee/tea break
3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Session 2: Worker Education and Codes of Conduct:
Content and Context
Facilitator: Celia Mather
Part I: Working in small groups participants will discuss their
own experiences and opinions in this regard (positive and negative),
touching upon (1) the issues they believe are important to discuss
during educational exercises and (2) the context in which such issues
are presented.
For example:
- knowledge of local labour law and international standards;
how companies operate internationally; the global market.
- What are the implications of the variety of and differences
in codes of conduct and monitoring systems -- how (and why) to
deal with the potential confusion in the context of worker education?
- · The implementation of labour standards and good codes
of conduct has been a part of international solidarity work and
consumer education campaigns, how do these initiatives figure
into the context of worker education and worker's strategies to
improve working conditions and move towards increased empowerment?
- What about industrial sectors/companies where codes are not
developing and/or not applicable?
(tentative group facilitators: Ineke, Nina, Esther, Ingeborg, Frieda,
Bettina, Johanna)
Part II: Groups will report back during a plenary session, and
discuss
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. DINNER
For those who are interested, a variety of videos will be available
for viewing after dinner:
DAY TWO: Tuesday, December 14, 1999
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Session 3: Case studies/experiences on specific
educational programs, and support for capacity building.
Facilitator: Ingeborg Wick (German CCC)
Presentors: Emelia Cruz (IUF/FES/FIAN), presentation of the training
programme on codes of conduct for cut flower workers in Africa.
Ms. Suprhatin (SESBUGAR) shares her experiences on the educational
work done by Sesbugar/Perbupas/Sisbikum in Indonesia. Girlie Guzman,
from the Philippines will discuss her work with the BATU (Brotherhood
of Asian Trade Unions) Norm program.
Questions and discussion to follow, with attention to the different
roles of NGOs and unions.
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Session 4: Worker education and the right to
organize:
In any educational exercise this issue needs to be dealt with thoroughly.
Understanding the right to organize in relation to codes of conduct
is necessary (for ex. what scope is there for codes to be used by
workers as a tool to form unions?). Many believe that without the
right to organize and provisions for the implementation of this
right codes will not lead to a substantial improvement in terms
of empowerment. Some see a risk that codes can be misused and manipulated,
preventing the formation and functioning of unions.
Facilitator: Astrid Kaag (FNV)
Discussion led by: Steve Grinter (ITGLWF), Dwight Justice (ICFTU),
Ms. Suprahatin (SESBUGAR), Alice Kwan (HKCIC), Josefa Rivera (MEC)
1 - 2 p.m. LUNCH
2: 00 - 3:30 p.m. Session 5: Tools for education:
What tools have proven to be useful or have potential? For example,
participatory methods of leadership training; seminars; campaign-related
education. During this session a variety of educational methods
will be considered.
Study circles have been found to be a powerful tool at the national
level, and now international use of the same methodology has taken
place via the International Federation of Worker Education Associations
(IFWEA), Alana Dave of IFWEA will share information on this. Steve
Grinter will also discuss tools for education within the context
of the ITGLWF's initiatives.
Facilitator: Nina Ascoly (Dutch CCC)
3:30 - 4:00 p.m. coffee break
4: 00 - 5:30 p.m. Session 6: Education in the context of monitoring
pilot projects
During this session the findings and follow up of the ETI southern
participation seminar will be discussed, as will the experiences
of the Swedish and French CCCs and the new proposal in the United
States for a monitoring system linked to the settlement in the Saipan
lawsuit.
Facilitator: Ineke Zeldenrust (Dutch CCC)
Presenters: Johanna Piven (Swedish CCC)
Alice Kwan (HKCIC)
Sumi Dhanarajan (Oxfam) -- on ETI
Nikki Bas (Sweatshop Watch) -- on the Saipan monitoring proposal
Ronald Köpke -- on the CODEMUH monitoring project
5:30 - 6:30 p.m. -- free time: take a walk in the woods, take a
nap, have a drink, a coffee, a chat with old and new friends
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. DINNER
After dinner:
· Video/Movie: "The Big One"
or
· Optional session on monitoring issues:
Many of the organizers and participants have expressed an interest
in using the opportunity of being together for this seminar to have
some informal discussions on issues relating to monitoring and verification
of labour standards/codes of conduct. We encourage those of you
who would like to do so, to please organize among yourselves a meeting
during the free time following dinner. Steering committee members
who would like to participate in this session will be in contact
prior to the conference to discuss the organization of this session,
and will inform all the seminar participants of these details upon
their arrival on Monday. Tentativley, the issues to be taken up
are the relative role of trade unions and NGOs in monitoring programmes,
where they differ and how this relates to the role of the companies
(producers, buyers, and auditors). Legal ways of enforcing compliance
with codes (picking up on this afternoon's discussion on Saipan)
and the role of governments in monitoring programmes. The evaluation
of "independent" monitoring services. Labeling systems
for compliance with codes, governmental and voluntary. Successes/challenges
in protecting workers from retaliation when they talk to a monitor,
file complaints, etc.
DAY THREE: Wednesday, December 15, 1999
10: 00 - 11:30 a.m. Session 7: Homeworkers and the Relevance of
Codes
Facilitator: Yvonne Fijneman (LIW/Netherlands)
During this session Pamela Curr of the Fairwear Campaign, in Australia
will discuss their work on homeworkers rights using a code for homeworkers;
Lucy Brill will discuss the work of HomeNet; and Baljit Basatia
of the National Group on Homeworking in the UK will share her experiences
with the AEKTA project in Birmingham.
11: 30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Session 8: The Changing Agenda
Facilitation: Celia Mather
Part I: Breaking down into smaller groups, we will synthesize what
we've learned and discussed during the past few days, highlighting
the pressing concerns that leaves us with and issues for the future.
What we aim to do is get clarity on our own work in the future,
given a context that is continuously changing (new developments,
new actors). The backdrop to the issues we have been discussing
is a changing one. How do such developments complicate the matters
we deal with? During this session we will clarify what the important
relevant elements are that comprise this changing backdrop, and
then discuss our work in that context.
For example: there is the emerging issue of company-sponsored education
(ex. Reebok, with its worker training project in Indonesia). We
see auditing companies moving into the field of education on labor
rights (training auditors), which is problematic, and indications
that at least in an advisory capacity they will become more involved
in the educational programs for workers and management.
Meanwhile, participants in educational initiatives cannot be categorized
under the monolithic heading of "workers" -- there are
cultural and gender factors to consider, as well as other issues.
For example, the special position of migrant workers and/or captive
workers. How to deal with this in education programmes?
12:30 -12:45 p.m. coffee/tea break
12:45- 1: 30 p.m. Part II: Groups report back in plenary and conclude
the session with a discussion on issues for the future and the implications
on future strategizing.
1:30 - 2: 15 p.m. Closing Session Towards an agenda for future
work
(note: there will also be space within this session for evaluating
the seminar)
2:15 p.m. late lunch to follow closing session
Members of the Seminar Steering Committee
Alice Kwan (Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee, HK) e-mail:
hkcic@hknet.com
Angela Hale (UK CCC/Women Working Worldwide) e-mail: women-ww@mcrl.poptel.org.uk
Annie Delaney (TCFUA/Fair Wear, Australia) e-mail: tcfvic@magna.com.au
Astrid Kaag (FNV trade union federation, Netherlands)email: astrid.kaag@fnv.nl
Celia Mather: e-mail: c.mather@mcrl.poptel.org.uk
Dwight Justice (ICFTU, Belgium) e-mail: dwight.justice@icftu.org
Jane Tate (HOMENET, UK) e-mail: homenet@gn.apc.org
Kelly Dent (TIE-Asia, Sri Lanka) e-mail: tieasia@sri.lanka.net
Lynda Yanz (Maquila Solidarity Network, Canada) info@maquilasolidarity.org
Maggie Burn:s e-mail: mburns@gn.apc.org
Maria Rhie Chol Soon (Korean Women Workers Associations United,
Korea) e-mail: kwwa@chollian.net
Nikki Bas (Sweatshop Watch, U.S.) e-mail: sweatwatch@igc.org
Serapina Cha Mi-kyung (Korean House of International Solidarity/PSPD,
Korea) e-mail: pspd@soback.kornet.nm.kr
Sujata Gothoskar (representing the Committee for Asian Women CAW),
India e-mail: inforum@giasbm01.vsnl.net.in
Werner Oesterhald (DGB Nord-Sud netz, representing CCC, Germany)
e-mail (DGB Nord-Sud netz, representing CCC, Germany) e-mail
werner.oesterheld@dgb-bildungswerk.de
Steve Grinter (ITGLWF Education secretary) Steve_Itglwf@compuserve.coml
Zama Sonjica (SACTWU, South Africa) faxnumber: ++27.31.301.7050
Piet Nelissen (WCL clothing and textiles, Belgium, Piet.Nelissen@cmt-wcl.org
Olga Nicolae (WCL Liaison office for Central and Eastern Europe),
Romania, cmtest@alfa.clt.ro
Alana Dave/Lenny Gentle (International Federation of Workers' Education
Associations, UK, leonard.gentle@mcr1.poptel.org.uk
Nina Ascoly and Ineke Zeldenrust (Clean Clothes Campaign, Netherlands)
e-mail: info@cleanclothes.org
Peter Pennartz (IRENE) e-mail: PeterPennartz@irene-network.nl
Seminar location:
Evangelische Akademie Muelheim/Ruhr
Uhlenhorstweg 29bvgftr54
D-45479 Muelheim an der Ruhr
Tel. + 49.208.599.06.0
Fax: + 49.208.599.06.6
This seminar was organized by IRENE and the Clean Clothes Campaign
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