Industriall global conference higlights corporate social compliance

Global trade union Industriall’s first world conference – held in Frankfurt on May 22-23 – discussed issues of social compliance such as industry-wide collective bargaining, living wages and worker organisation.

The two-day conference, attended by 135 representatives from 35 countries, spoke recurrently on confronting global capital. Agreements to boost global union solidarity were also debated during a panel of global unions and brands.

Additionally, participants gave testimonials on precarious work, harassment, collective bargaining, successful conversions into permanent contracts and building union power.

Presenting living wage strategy, Jenny Holdcroft, policy director of Industriall said: “It is when brands and trade unions work together that real change can be made.”

Speaking further, Athit Kong from Industriall Cambodian affiliate C.CAWDU said: “Global garment brands must take their responsibility for living wages for garment workers.”

“We need industry bargaining to stop brands from negotiating lower prices based on lower wages,” Kong added.