V. What Unions and Allies Can Do

Workers are key:

Workers can report on codes of conduct and their own experiences on companies’ compliance with codes to their unions or TUCP and its Sweatshops monitors/verifiers.

Companies must disclose who their producers are:

Companies should inform the public which companies where supply them, and work terms and conditions in these enterprises. These should be subject to independent monitoring and effective sanctions for violations.

Governments should strengthen inspection procedures:

Inspectors must tie up with employers and workers and their organizations to fulfill their mandate.

Monitoring/Verifying Compliance with International Standards/National Laws:

Trade unions and other groups should join hands and monitor/verify terms and conditions of work in workplaces.

The Right to Organize:

Workers must be made aware of their rights and any company code of conduct. They must be able to freely organize unions; to advocate for those rights and improvements in workplace conditions, pay and benefits without fear of reprisal.

A Living Wage:

Companies must pay workers a living wage, or at least the statutory minimum wage. That means enough money to meet basic monthly necessities in the community where the worker lives.

Legislation/policies aimed at improving working conditions:

Workers, their families and other support groups must urge elected officials to support legislation (and implementation) to improve working conditions of workers. Must make strong representation with the government and the international financial institutions to formulate policies to safeguard/promote workers’ welfare and interests.

Unions and their community allies can ask candidates in candidates’ forums to support policies and ordinances for adherence to ILO core standards and national regulations