6.3. How can unions use the labor safeguards of the multilateral banks?

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. 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

Diagram 6 UNION STRATEGY FOR USING LABOR SAFEGUARDS

PRIOR TO LOAN APPROVAL

1. Follow up on loan projects prior to approval IF THE PROJECT IS UNDERWAY

2. Find out if the employer is part of the project IF THE EMPLOYER IS THE BENEFICIARY OF THE LOAN

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

6.Use independent accountability mechanisms that address formal complaints WHEN FILING A COMPLAINT

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

4. . Contact the multilateral banks. 4.1. Use the complaints procedure. 4.2. Contact the bank’s national representative.

Simplified Methods of Submitting Union Communications

Trade unions can use grievance mechanisms to report noncompliance with labor safeguards by entities receiving loans from the multilateral development banks. International Finance Corporation: Communication Form for trade unions: https://ifcext.ifc.org/ifcext/CommentsPS2.nsf/SurveyForm?OpenForm World Bank Grievance Redress Service (GRS) brochure: http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/ en/513891455136920909/GRS-Brochure-spanish.pdf

Documents on Labor Safeguards in Multilateral Banks Engaging with Asian Development Bank for Workers Rights. A Trade Unions Guide to Understanding ADB http://www.world-psi.org/sites/default/files/documents/research/a_trade_union_guide_to_understanding_adb_psi-2012.pdf

Rajasthan Renewable Energy Transmission Investment Programme. A study on ADB’s Compliance with Social Protection Strategy and Core Labour Standards http://www.world-psi.org/sites/default/files/attachment/news/psi_report_on_rajasthan_adb_solar_project_dec2015.pdf

Labour standards at the multilateral development banks: leverage for workers’ power and accountability https://www.ituc-csi.org/labour-standards-at-the

Labour Standards in World Bank Group Lending Lessons Learned and Next Step https://www.ituc-csi.org/normas-del-trabajo-en-los?lang=en