Nick Shields: October 10, 2008 11:31 am
On Tuesday the IFC and the International Labour Organization launched the "Better Work Vietnam" program which will improve the working conditions for over 700,000 workers in the Vietnamese apparel industry. This "Better Work" program is the largest of the country programs developed by the IFC and ILO. It is a voluntary, industry based initiative that aims to strengthen the relationships between local enterprises, international buyers, governments and worker organizataions to improve the working conditions as well as increase the industries competitiveness. There are several international buyers that are in support of the program including Gap Inc. The executive director of the standards and fundamental principles and rights at work sector of the ILO said "decent work is an essential requirement for individuals, their associations and communities to build a better future. Improving labor standards in global supply chains is vital to achieving this." Donors to the progam include Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Sweden, and Australia among others.
I think that this program to not only improve working conditions but to improve the competitiveness of the industry will really help Vietnam. 700,000 people is a lot of people to help but is only a small fraction of the people that work in unacceptable working conditions. The IFC and ILO can really get a lot achieved if they chose to continue to work together on similar projects. The "Better Work" program is a good idea, however with no authority behind it the only incentive they have for factories to follow is the possibility of improving their sales. It would be much better if they could somehow force all factories to improve their conditions. Maybe if the industries that volunteer to cooperate begin to thrive many more of the other factories will follow.
http://www.ilo.org/global/About_the_ILO/Media_and_public_information/I-News/lang--en/WCMS_099033/index.htm
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