Conclusions of the evaluation of 10 years CCC
(with additional information finalised at the strategy meeting
in Barcelona march 8, 2001)
- The campaign's main successes are seen to be raising awareness
on the issues, networking, and information provision (though failure
to communicate our successes).
- The CCC's urgent appeals network is seen as one of the campaigns
strengths, both as a system for distributing information and motivating
action. But there is a belief that the follow through on cases
needs more attention (in terms of strategy, given that companies
often "cut and run" when campaigning draws attention
to labour rights violations at a particular factory, and in practical
terms, i.e. how long do we continue to follow a case). More strategic
thinking is required and better communication throughout the CCC
network.
- The CCC is recognised for it's contacts and co-operation with
Asian groups - this is an accomplishment in itself, but points
to the need to strengthen links with other regions (Africa, Central
& Eastern Europe, Central America, North America). There is
concern that the issue of violations of labour rights in developed
countries have not been addressed enough.
- In terms of content, homeworking and gender issues were seen
as needing more attention. A gender audit of the CCC could be
a first step. More CCC research on the informal sector is also
needed. There is interest in covering environmental concerns and
issues of sustainable development as well. Co-operation with other
"product-sector" campaigns (ex. baby milk groups, toys)
and/or the environmental movement or anti-globalization movement
could be a way to strengthen the campaign.
- There were mixed messages on codes all around, as some respondents
felt they were not appropriate or even a failure, and others felt
they were one of the most important campaigning tools and strategically
useful for creating space for debate, publicity and enable pressure.
The Barcelona meeting adds to this, that codes can be a good tool
if they include: core ILO conventions, a process of monitoring
and verification which includes workers, labour NGO's and unions
in the South. They can also be useful if they are seen as a tool
to empower workers and are implemented in countries where there
is democratic space for independent peoples organisations to participate
in the process. But codes can also involve risks, for example,
that company-monitoring usually only goes as far as the first
supplier and does not monitor the whole chain and that it is often
workers and not companies who pay the cost of the professionalisation
of monitoring and verification processes by the corporate sector.
Finally, our involvement in developing monitoring systems should
be based on a perspective of moving out of this work and towards
supporting the empowerment process of workers and playing the
role of watchdog over companies.
- Capacity (human resources and material resources) problems
were noted at all levels (the CCC needs to do more, but we don't
currently have the capacity to do so; we ask our partners to do
more than they can, etc.) Capacity problems have an impact on
other issues (for example capacity to expand communications between
North and South -- language and communication problems slow down
or limit effectiveness/participation in the urgent appeals system
and other campaign activities/resources). It is important to map
the resources of the CCC network to facilitate a better division
of labour amongst the network in order to relieve pressure points.
- Better links between North & South and South & South
-- in terms of decisionmaking process, strategizing, input and
awareness raising (should go both ways, ex. on globalization --
make connections between those working in Northern and Southern
economies). Some Southern groups would like the campaign to do
more education work (on codes for example). More attention should
be put on language issues (translations, use of jargon-free language).
The relationship between trade unions and NGOs, within and outside
of the campaign, deserves more attention. More trade union representation
is needed in campaigns and also a strengthening of the information
network between NGOs and unions in the South. Furthermore a lack
of dialogue at the national CCC levels, needs to be addressed.
- The interplay between codes (often voluntary mechanisms) and
public regulation (local labour law, international legal measures,
trade negotiations, national legislation affecting national production)
at different levels was mentioned as an area needing attention.
In some countries new laws are being discussed concerning TNC's
operating abroad. Furthermore, WTO negotiations pose a big danger
for the CCC work, for example, in government procurement. The
preparation of several court cases has started. These are relatively
new areas for the CCC and it was stressed that there was a need
for better information sharing.
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