Labour Standards & Trade Forum

With the complexity, diversity, and fragmented nature of global supply chains, challenges remain that continue to impede on decent work. As such, consumer, investor, and multinational corporations products must be produced with respect for international labour standards. "Harnessing Globalization" and "Trade for All" highlight the role of the private sector in reinforcing diligence on labour standards across the production chain.

Similar to their Filipino counterparts, multinational companies are finding themselves in more open positions in which scrutiny and cross-examination are prevalent. How a company operates, with whom and under what conditions it operates are factors that increasingly form part of consumer awareness. Applying core labour standards also makes good business sense as it increases productivity and reduces the real costs of contracting workers.

Topics for discussion will include:

• Best practice of implementation of core labour standards in global value chains in the Philippines;
• Benefits of core labour standards for business and trade;
• Relevance of integrated audits and reporting for company's long-term sustainability.

FORUM OBJECTIVES

1. Discuss the impact of core labour standards on business;
2. Promote sustainable trade and encourage compliance to core labour standards among value chains;
3. Promote best practice of core labour standards being integrated into business models for industry players and SMEs.