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Initiative

Advancing Worker Participation

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Advancing worker participation through strengthened supplier management systems and capacity-building

This initiative enhances supplier management systems and builds the capacity of both workers and managers, empowering workers to take an active role in workplace decision-making.

About the issue

Enabling workers to speak up and engage in dialogue is not only a fundamental right but also essential to responsible business.

Freedom of Association (FOA) and worker participation remain challenging in many contexts due to legal constraints, weak enforcement, and workplace practices that limit workers’ voices.

However, even where FOA protections are limited, companies can strengthen trust, compliance, and performance by fostering robust grievance systems and meaningful participation.

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Tools and training resources

Practical, ready-to-use tools to help suppliers, buyers, and other stakeholders assess and improve how facilities manage workers’ rights, including freedom of association, worker communication, feedback mechanisms, and participation.

The assessment tools can be used in any facility globally, while the e-learning training materials for managers and workers are designed specifically for workplaces in China.

Why worker participation matters for businesses

Compliance

Meeting legal and client requirements on providing workers with channels for grievances, feedback, communication, and participation.

Management systems

Improved management systems and mechanisms for worker grievances, feedback, communication, and worker participation, with a more educated workforce.

Communication

Improved two-way communication between workers and management, more harmonized labor relations.

Well-being

Improved worker well-being and satisfaction as well as engagement at work.

Innovative CSR

CSR compliance transformed from an auditing program to an innovative approach that addresses the root causes of labor rights issues in the supply chain.

Social impact

Positive social impact in promoting and fulfilling UN and ILO Conventions (such as ILO C190 and The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights) of the sourcing country by supporting workers and worker organizations.

Risk reduction

Reduced negative exposure to labor and social risks associated with worker grievances, poor communication, and lack of representation (including infringed rights to FoA) in the supply chain.

Cost effective

Implementing an impactful worker empowerment program that can meet CSR goals on worker voice, worker participation (social dialog), or two-way communication between workers and management with minimum financial cost.

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About the project

The Advancing Worker Participation project enhanced worker participation in global supply chains to better protect labor rights and foster positive labor relations.

The project strengthened workplace management systems to facilitate dialogue on shared concerns and empowered workers to advocate for their rights and interests.

Get in touch

Need help using our Advancing Worker Participation tools? Have ideas to make them even more effective? Get in touch with the Verité team.

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