http://www.ituc-csi.org/the-exploitative-model-of-supply?lang=en Brussels, 4 June 2015 (ITUC OnLine): Just one in five of people in western
economies like France, Germany, the UK and the US agree that corporations can
be trusted with their global workforce, according to a new poll commissioned by
International Trade Union Confederation.
The public opinion poll released on the eve of the G7
summit in Germany comes amid growing political concern that multinational
companies and international organisations like FIFA are ignoring agreements and
breaking the rules.
Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, International Trade
Union Confederation, said the G7 could play a critical role in strengthening
the rule of law.
"G7 nations have laws that guarantee fundamental
rights for workers in their own countries. They can guarantee equal treatment
for workers in other countries where companies based in G7 countries operate,
by extending the same rule of law beyond their boundaries."
With the rise of global supply chains, accounting for
three quarters of global trade, large corporations are employing workers around
the globe in countries like Indonesia, the Philippines and Turkey - but often
indirectly through a chain of contractors.
"Citizens have made a plea to G7 leaders not to
trust corporations to look after the world's workforce. They don't trust them
to pay them a decent wage, they don't trust them to respect their rights and
they don't trust them to take safety seriously," said Sharan Burrow.
The ITUC poll on trust in companies and supply chains
found:
* 55 % of respondents in France, Germany, the UK and the
US believe most global companies can't be trusted to look after their workers
and tougher laws are needed;
* 80 % of respondent in Indonesia, the Philippines and
Turkey believe that most employers prioritise profits over safety of their
workers;
* More than three quarters (78%) of people in Indonesia,
the Philippines and Turkey believe that business should pay all their workers a
decent minimum wage - no matter where they are.
"The vast majority believing these corporations
can't be trusted to look after their workers because they will prioritise
profits over the interests of people, including the safety of their employees.
This breakdown in trust places the onus back on governments to cooperate to
hold these global giants to account for their workers," said John Evans,
General Secretary, Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD.
For more information contact Gemma Swart gemma.swart@ituc-csi.org +44 7944 99
07 63
TNS Opinion carried out the fieldwork for the public
opinion poll between 23 - 29th April 2015.
For a copy of the 2015 ITUC Frontlines Poll Trust in
companies and supply chains go to: http://www.ituc-csi.org/ituc-frontlines-poll-trust-in
To read the summary statement to the G7:
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and territories and has 328 national affiliates.
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