6.3
How can unions use the labor safeguards of the multilateral banks?
Local unions in coordination with international unions have used labor safeguards to demand that the multilateral development banks exert pressure and force the recipients of the loans to comply with labor rights. The ITUC’s trade union guide “Labour Standards in the Multilateral Development Banks” describes several cases with positive results for the unions and workers concerned.
Diagram 6
The following are some of the steps suggested in the ITUC Trade Union Guide in the process of using labour safeguards. For each of the steps, the ITUC/Global Unions Washington Office is available to help gather information and involve the multilateral development banks. The contact email is washington@ ituc-csi.org
UNION STRATEGY FOR USING LABOR SAFEGUARDS
PRIOR TO LOAN APPROVAL
IF THE PROJECT IS UNDERWAY
IF THE EMPLOYER IS THE BENEFICIARY OF THE LOAN
1. Follow up on loan projects prior to approval
2. Find out if the employer is part of the project
3. Require that persons employed by the beneficiary entity enjoy working conditions in accordance with the Labor Safeguards
IF THE DEVELOPMENT BANK REFUSES TO ACT
WHEN FILING A COMPLAINT
6.Use independent accountability mechanisms that address formal complaints
5. Document the violation of rights and the union’s attempts to get the employer to respect the Labor Safeguards
IF THE EMPLOYER REFUSES TO RESPECT THE RIGHTS
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PRACTICAL GUIDE TO TRADE UNION ACTION: International Human Rights Instruments
4. . Contact the multilateral banks. 4.1. Use the complaints procedure. 4.2. Contact the bank’s national representative.
