ETI + Labor Solutions Develop an Access to Remedy eLearning Module for Brands, Retailers + Suppliers

This post was written in collaboration with the Ethical Trading Initiative and originally posted on their website

Leading industry experts, Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) and Labor Solutions, collaborate to design and develop an eLearning Module to support global brands, retailers, and suppliers to implement ETI’s Access to Remedy Principles, to protect vulnerable workers, with a focus on migrant workers in international supply chains.

Access to Remedy is a core component of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and refers to workers’ opportunity to both raise issues – including via operational grievance mechanisms (OGMs) – and initiate remediation. Affected rights holders should be able to claim remedy without fear of victimisation.

The Access to Remedy Principles were released by ETI in 2019 to bridge the gap between supply chain realities and the vision of the UNGPs. Many workers around the world are vulnerable to workplace exploitation. They are vulnerable for different reasons and in different ways. These principles are applicable to any vulnerable workers, but they are aimed specifically at the case of migrant workers, who often face particular vulnerabilities in the workplace.

Developed in consultation with a wide range of global stakeholders, including businesses, trade unions and NGOs, the 30 principles focus on:

• Setting up OGMs, enabling workers to raise issues at any stage of their migration journey,

• The need to provide appropriate remedy when harm has occurred; and

• How stakeholder engagement and collaboration can enable workers to meaningfully access their rights.

To put these Principles into practice, ETI commissioned Labor Solutions to develop an interactive e-Module to provide brands, suppliers and retailers with step-by-step guidance illustrating the application of the Principles in practice through practical examples and several case studies. All resources are available for free and can be accessed through multiple channels, including the Principles website migrantworkerremedy.org, ETI’s own member platform the ‘ETI Community’ and Labor Solutions’ WOVO application from 30 May 2022. This project was funded by the UK Government through its Modern Slavery Innovation Fund with the aim to make the Principles more accessible for businesses of any size while inspiring them to take action.

About the e-Module

The e-Module takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. It is interactive and includes information from key resources, useful readings, references, and case studies from ETI members including ASOS, H&M Group, the Very Group and Princes Tuna Mauritius, who share success stories on their implementation of the Principles. Access the course here.

The e-Module covers four topics:

• Understanding Vulnerability

• Worker Agency and Grievance Mechanisms

• Providing Access to Remedy

• Key Considerations for Businesses

While the primary audiences for the e-Module  are  brands, retailers and suppliers, the module also outlines the roles and responsibilities of other supply chain stakeholders, including  trade unions and local NGOs and governments in facilitating effective access to remedy for workers. It also highlights the importance of stakeholder collaboration and worker agency in achieving these goals.

Why you should complete the eLearning Module “As recent reports have indicated, great progress has been made over the last decade on the implementation of the UNGPs, but there is much more to be done to ensure vulnerable groups have greater access to effective remedy. We hope this comprehensive resource is a useful contribution to aid putting the Access to Remedy Principles into practice.” Peter McAllister, Executive Director, ETI.

“The Access to Remedy Principles provide an important roadmap to making decent work a reality. We hope that this e-Module will help businesses implement the principles in practice and help protect vulnerable workers across global supply chains” Elena Fanjul-Debnam, Founder and CEO, Labor Solutions.

Together, ETI and Labor Solutions call on business and other stakeholders to take action by putting the Access to Remedy Principles in practice. By taking this eLearning module and sharing it within their networks, other stakeholders can better support vulnerable workers, including migrant workers, globally. 

Access the course here

The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is a leading alliance of companies, trade unions and NGOs that promotes respect for workers' rights around the globe. Our vision is a world where all workers are free from exploitation and discrimination, and enjoy conditions of freedom, security and equity.

About Labor Solutions

Labor Solutions, an impact-focused business, leverages technology to connect, engage and educate workers to build resilient supply chains. Over a million and a half workers in 25 countries have access to Labor Solutions’ worker engagement platform, WOVO. Workers can respond to worker surveys, report grievances and access eLearning modules on rights and responsibilities.

The Labor Solutions eLearning team helps organizations and multi-stakeholder initiatives digitize their expertise and create content on diverse topics, including but not limited to human rights, worker safety and rights, labor migration, responsible business practice and recruitment, gender equality and more.