The shift of economic production from higher labour standard regimes in the global North to lower standard regimes in the South is undermining enforcement of global labour standards. Responding to criticisms from the ‘anti-sweatshop’ movement, consumers and governments, many transnational corporations (TNCs) have adopted codes of conduct to regulate labour standards in their supplier factories. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are increasingly used to monitor compliance with these codes. This article analyses the monitoring effectiveness of three kinds of such ‘third party’ NGOs. It concludes that major monitoring deficiencies reflect, first, significant organizational weaknesses of the NGOs and their dependence on TNCs for whom they monitor; second, powerful limits imposed on NGO effectiveness by corporate restructuring and market competitiveness; and third, inadequate pressures from anti-sweatshop movements, consumers and governments. These constraints suggest that this NGO-centred, ‘soft law’ policy approach is ‘too weak for the job’.

Too Weak for the Job- Corporate Codes of Conduct, Non-Governmental Organizations and the Regulation of International Labour Standards, McMaster University, 2007 DOWNLOAD

post

page

attachment

revision

nav_menu_item

custom_css

customize_changeset

oembed_cache

user_request

wp_block

wp_template

wp_template_part

wp_global_styles

wp_navigation

wp_font_family

wp_font_face

acf-taxonomy

acf-post-type

acf-field-group

acf-field

ai1ec_event

exactmetrics_note

Transformative Technologies: How digital is changing the landscape of organized crime
News & AnalysisPublications

Advances in technology are continuing to transform the illicit-trade landscape as dramatically as they are changing its legal counterpart, particularly as the increasing dominance of online trade provides a means to connect customers to vendors in a...Read More

Driving Behavior Change of Recruiters, Suppliers, and Job Seekers Toward Ethical Recruitment: Critical Roles of Global Buyers and Grassroots Actors
Publications

This report was prepared by Dr. Lisa Rende Taylor and Ohnmar Ei Ei Chaw, Issara Institute. Issara Institute programming in Myanmar and Thailand over the past year has focused on driving more ethical recruitment systems, down to the ‘first mile�...Read More

Improving our Response to Modern Slavery & Exploitation: Supporting Chinese women
Publications

Anyone can be exploited, or become a victim of modern slavery, no matter their age, gender or nationality. This report focuses specifically on Chinese women, due to the experiences of Caritas Bakhita House, Rahab and Tamar. It is hoped that it can s...Read More

United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking Annual Report, 2017
Publications

This report acknowledges federal agencies’ efforts to implement recommendations provided in the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking Annual Report 2016, and includes key takeaways from the Council’s two regional trips, and the wor...Read More