Euro Union Textile Industry To Sign Code


Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit

Sep 26, 1997 by labornews@igc.apc.org


INTERNATIONAL CONFEDERATION OF FREE TRADE UNIONS (ICFTU)

ICFTU OnLine...
238/970919/LD

Textile industry to sign first European code of conduct

Brussels, September 19, 1997 (ICFTU OnLine): Marking a first for Europe,
trade union and employers' organisations in the textile and clothing
sector are to sign a code of conduct in Brussels on September 22
providing for the respect of "fundamental human rights in the workplace"
in this sector.

The agreement, which will be signed in the presence of the General
Director of Social Affairs at the European Commission, Mr. A. Larsson,
is the successful outcome of over a year of negotiations between the
European Trade Union Federation of Textiles, Clothing and Leather
(ETUF-TCL) and EURATEX, the European employers' organisation in this
sector.  

According to a joint press release by the two organisations, the code
"illustrates the social partners' determination to comply with and
protect basic human rights in the workplace (as established by the ILO,
the International Labour Office) everywhere in the world."  These rights
include the freedom of association, the right to bargain collectively,
the banning of child labour and forced labour, as well as
non-discrimination in employment.

This code is the first of its kind to be signed in Europe.  It covers 60
to 70% of enterprises in the sector.  Identical codes have been signed
in the United States but are mainly the result of individual action
undertaken by a handful of multinational companies.

As far as follow-up is concerned, a first report on the agreement will
be submitted to the European Commission in July 1998.  According to the
ETUF:TCL monitoring procedures can then be refined on the basis of the
report.  The code will apply to European enterprises and their
subsidiaries or sub-contractors in the developing world.  It covers more
than two thirds of the 2.4 million workers in the sector.

Contact: ICFTU Press at ++32 2 224 02 12 (Brussels)

 
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