L A B O U R E X P LO I TAT I O N A N D P U B L I C P R O C U R E M E N T
The following sections outline concrete measures that contracting entities can implement to ensure accountability of public spending through preventing adverse human rights impacts and labour exploitation in their national procurements. The measures are categorised according to the four main phases of the procurement procedure: principles of sustainable procurement and organisation of activities, planning and preparation of the procurement, 3. tendering and award criteria, and 4. monitoring during the contract period. 1.
2.
The main content and scope of the responsibility measures presented in the guide have to be scaled and tailored according to the operating environment, the value and subject of the procurement, and to the size and structure of the contracting entity.
Phase 1 – Principles of sustainable procurement and organisation of activities Thus far, the topic of labour exploitation and human trafficking is largely missing from national sustainability policies or action by Finnish businesses, as well entities participating in public procurement. This section lists various principles and standards that enable public contracting entities to strengthen their efforts to prevent labour exploitation and human trafficking to ensure that the same standards are used by all parties taking part in a procurement. These principles, listed on the next page, may be integrated into already existing anti-grey economy, anti-corruption programmes, purchasing policies, or developed further into independent strategies, policy objectives, ethical guidelines, commitments and/or minimum accountability requirements. It is important that the entire organisation, including its management, is committed to the chosen principles, especially in procurements related to high-risk sectors.
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