Worker agency and advocacy

Alongside our work with businesses to improve their labor practices in their operations and supply chains, we develop innovative worker-centered initiatives in partnership with governments, worker organizations, and multistakeholder initiatives.

This includes building workers’ capacities to advocate for their rights, hold employers accountable, and influence policies that shape their working conditions, supported by innovative worker-led data collection methods that strengthen advocacy efforts.

Governments are pivotal in safeguarding labor rights, yet many face challenges in effectively addressing violations.

We partner with governments to strengthen their capacity through targeted training, technical guidance, and collaborative problem-solving. From improving labor inspection systems to aligning policies with international standards, we help governments take practical steps toward building stronger institutions. Our work with governments includes facilitating cross-border collaboration to tackle critical regional challenges like forced labor and human trafficking.

We advocate for government policies that create a regulatory environment on corporate human rights due diligence that is effective, enforceable, and reflect worker risks.

Through coalitions and multistakeholder initiatives, we work on both binding regulations (hard law) and voluntary standards (soft law) to embed proven labor rights practices into compliance standards and implementation systems. Our research bridges the gap with policymakers to create informed policies that establish a level playing field where responsible business practices become the norm.