With the new HRDD legislation, HP sought a holistic and proactive approach to its value chain capacity building program, seek to cover both breadth and depth (specific risk focused) and scale the worker empowerment program.  HP’s value chain is large, cutting across several industries and in dozens of countries, a scalable, flexible approach for supplier worker training was critical. Finding a solution that could be implemented in a variety of locations, supplier types and languages, resources on a system level to monitor learning progress was key for HP’s deployment success. HP wanted to ensure all workers in its value chain, regardless of their risk levels, are educated on rights and responsibilities. The Solution: Focused Training, Flexible Deployment, Dynamic Reporting Using WOVO eLearning,  Labor Solutions worked with HP to help achieve this goal. In the first year HP mandated 40 suppliers ensure all workers completed Labor Solutions’ digital training on Fair Working Conditions.   The initial goal was to establish fundamental awareness on rights and responsibilities. “People is a core HP sustainability pillar. HP make serious efforts to ensure human rights due diligence in our value chain. As part of mitigating, preventing Human Rights issues, HP aims to increase knowledge and awareness of value chain towards Human Rights by providing capability building in the form of all accessible and ever convenient e-Learning approach,” said the HP Human Rights Team.   HP choose to partner with Labor Solutions to select and deliver relevant lessons for its value chain. Labor Solutions creates and regularly updates the eLearning in partnerships with industry leading subject experts such as Better Work, IOM, ETI, etc., ensuring workers get the most accurate and updated knowledge about their rights and responsibilities.  The lessons are all interactive and workers' knowledge is assessed through embedded quizzes and assessments.   Labor Solutions designed a practical phased training program for supply chain workers. Focused:  Workers are provided with only one lesson at a time. Flexible:   The digital training could be deployed in multiple ways according to workers' and suppliers' workplace and technology environment.  Workers accessed the learning via WOVO App or web-based Learning Management System, allowing them to take the lesson anytime, anywhere. Offline training mode means workers can take eLearning without using data. Suppliers also used WOVO LMS for group classroom learning. Live, Dynamic Reporting : HP’s WOVO dashboard allows them to track eLearning progress by supplier and view data at facility, country or global level. This reduced the amount of time the HP team needed to spend on oversight and collecting data from suppliers. Focused:  Workers are provided with only one lesson at a time. Outcomes: 71,525 workers at 40 suppliers, completed training on Fair Working Conditions within one year.   Soon, these workers will be trained on additional specific topics like Health and Safety, Responsible Recruitment.   HP looks forward to expanding the eLearning program and has integrated it into its human rights strategy.     In the coming years, in addition to expanding the depth of the digital training, HP plans on expanding training to even more workers throughout its supply chain. “HP is committed to empowering 1 million workers through worker empowerment program. The trainings serve as a part of the channel to realize our commitment towards empowerment to the value chain,” said HP Human Rights Team. Start Empowering Your Partner Facilities Labor Solutions’ tools and services are designed to engage, connect, and educate workers across global supply chains by empowering suppliers to own human rights data and address risks as they arise. Whether you are starting with any scale supplier employment project – we tackle all challenges big or small – get in touch with our team at info@laborsolutions.tech .

Background: The recent COVID-19 Delta Variant outbreak has hit Vietnam hard, particularly manufacturers and workers. Ninety percent of the footwear factories in Vietnam had suspended productions at some point during the outbreak, with many reducing production capacity, mainly due to the operational challenges and financial burdens to implement the " 3 on-site" model , a government mandated protocol that involves workers eating, sleeping, and working onsite  without leaving the factory compound . Eager to bring workers back from their hometown and restore production, many factories have focused on helping vaccinate worker to ease the stay-at-work burdens . As sourcing countries wait for vaccines, brands and factories are looking for ways to better support workers and secure their supply chains. Many are turning to WOVO to instantly connect with workers throughout their supply chain or in a specific location to better understand worker needs. Solution: With many workers no longer onsite, the brand and their suppliers needed a way to directly connect to get feedback and understand challenges facing workers return. The brand immediately thought of WOVO , a platform used to deploy surveys and communicate with workers. With many workers off-site and dispersed the brand and their suppliers need technology to reach as many workers as possible, WOVO was the clear solution. Within less than 24 hours of deciding to send the survey the brand was able to send a worker survey to over 150,000 workers in Vietnam to count both the number of vaccinated workers, and the number of workers who need support to get vaccinated. Within minutes of pressing send, workers throughout the brand’s supply chain in Vietnam received a message and survey directly to their phones. Results: Within 24 hours the survey received more than 10,000 responses and within 48 hours nearly 30,000 responses had been gathered. The survey provided valuable data for the brand to better understand the vaccination situations across their suppliers. They were also able to view the insights of demographic groups to make better decisions to support the needs of specific groups. The brand has used this data to purchase vaccines for workers in the hope of reopening facilities faster. Since workers can only return to work once they are fully vaccinated, knowing who is vaccinated and when workers will be fully vaccinated is key to predicting production. Suppliers are using the data to better understand how many workers will return and when they can return. Suppliers are also using the data to better understand what support workers need to return to work from providing a stipend for travel to supporting child care, factories are going above and beyond to ensure worker engagement and safety. WOVO continues to be critical for brands and suppliers to ensure continuity and safety. Read about what other factories and brands are doing to support workers.

In today’s rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, suppliers and brands face unprecedented challenges. From sudden production disruptions to unpredictable geopolitical shifts, suppliers and buyers alike are keen to implement resilient systems to minimize supply chain distributions, ensure worker safety, and comply with new supply chain and sustainability legislation. South Asia and Southeast Asia are the manufacturing hubs of the world. Yet, several key sourcing countries are facing significant political change and unrest. Sri Lanka faced crippling inflation  and widespread protests ultimately leading to the president resigning , Myanmar continues to be locked in a civil war, Thailand’s prime minster  was recently, and surprisingly, ousted and  the ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh  has heightened international concerns  within the apparel and textile industry. While political regime change can provide opportunities for workers and trade unions to negotiate for more rights and higher minimum wages (for example), unrest and uncertainty also often have negative effects on trade, the local economy, and safety that can impact workers. Labor Solutions continues to support clients through these challenging times. WOVO  has proven to be a critical tool for suppliers to maintain communication with workers during crises, enhancing trust and safety. Brand clients have used the data to make sourcing decisions, support suppliers with resources and even target philanthropic support. Political instability often impacts, already vulnerable workers. In these complex situations, where worker needs and protection are priority, being able to hear directly from workers about their concerns and priorities provides irreplaceable insights to companies make data-based decisions. And in our experience with post-coup worker surveys in Myanmar, workers want to share their perspectives and to be heard . For Suppliers: Strengthening Communication and Decision-Making Keeping Workers Informed and Engaged In periods of disruption, maintaining clear communication with workers is crucial. WOVO’s Connect tool allows suppliers to communicate efficiently with their workforce, providing timely updates during critical events such as factory closures or production halts. For instance, after factory closures in Vietnam from COVID-19, a staggering 75% of workers  returned to their jobs when WOVO was used to keep them informed and engaged, highlighting the platform’s effectiveness in maintaining workforce stability during challenging times​​. Gauging Worker Sentiment and Addressing Needs Understanding worker sentiment is key to navigating changes effectively. WOVO enables suppliers to take the temperature of their workforce, understand their needs, and implement necessary support measures. This proactive approach not only safeguards workers' rights but also strengthens the overall resilience of the workforce. In Myanmar, WOVO surveys revealed that garment workers have a strong desire to have their voices heard , leading to enhanced worker-management dialogues. In another instance, a factory in China used WOVO to cope with sudden COVID-19 lockdowns , providing reassurance to workers through regular updates and demonstrating the platform’s versatility in addressing urgent worker needs​​. Making Informed Decisions with Real-Time Insights WOVO provides suppliers with real-time, first-hand insights from workers, enabling them to make informed decisions quickly. This capability is vital for navigating the complexities of modern supply chains, where swift and informed decision-making can mean the difference between maintaining operations and facing significant setbacks. By directly connecting with workers, suppliers can anticipate issues and implement solutions before they escalate​​. For Brands: Ensuring Worker Protection and Supply Chain Resilience Gaining Insights from Workers at Scale For brands, understanding the on-the-ground reality of their supply chains is essential for ensuring that workers are protected and safe. WOVO provides brands with comprehensive insights into worker sentiment across suppliers, allowing for a proactive approach to risk management, and a global view that allows for effective prioritization and support. This visibility is particularly crucial in high-risk regions, where the potential for human rights violations is heightened, and where multiple suppliers might benefit from similar support or training​​. Providing Necessary Support Beyond Supplier Capabilities There are times when the support needed by workers exceeds what suppliers can provide. WOVO allows brands to step in and offer the necessary resources, ensuring that workers receive the help they need, even in challenging circumstances. A notable example of this is during the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam, where WOVO facilitated brand-led support initiatives to distribute vaccines that not only significantly improved worker welfare​​, but also meant factories were able to get back to full production faster . Proactive and Reactive Actions to Address Supply Chain Risks New global supply chain regulations require proactive engagement with suppliers to address potential and actual risks to people from business operations. WOVO provides more effective early warning signals because it both asks workers about potential issues through worker perspective surveys, and supports the mitigation, termination and remedy of incidents through WOVO Connect’s grievance and case management tool. There is no need to wait for an issue to be raised before implementing preventative measures.   Cases have shown time and again that companies that effectively listen to and engage their workforce are better equipped to navigate difficult times and make better, informed decisions. A proven worker engagement tool like WOVO  ensures clear communications between workers and employers, provides real-time insights for suppliers and brands, and enables proactive support to ensure workplace and supply chain resilience.

In a significant move toward sustainability and social responsibility, the European Union (EU) Parliament has passed and is considering multiple new pieces of legislation that signal a new way of operating for the global businesses with third party suppliers. This legislation is designed as the social component of the Green New Deal , not only to enhance the sustainability of products but also to ensure ethical practices throughout global value chains—from brands and manufacturers to end consumers. Overview of new EU Legislation The EU's legislative framework includes several key components: Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) :   This directive requires companies to identify, prevent, and mitigate adverse human rights and environmental impacts within their operations and their entire value chain. This provides guidance for “how” companies should operate in order to align with new reporting requirements such as ERFS and CSRD. Forced Labour Goods Ban (Effective from 2027) :   This upcoming ban emphasizes the EU's commitment to eradicating forced and child labor in supply chains, prohibiting the export from or sale in the EU of goods produced under such conditions. Right to Repair Directive : Extending the lifespan of products through repairability, this directive mandates suppliers to offer repair services for goods long after their sale. Ecodesign for Sustainable Product Regulation (ESPR) :   Aimed at making sustainable products the norm, this regulation sets stringent criteria for the design and production of goods, focusing on durability and recyclability.   Nearly Every Company is Impacted While the laws directly apply roughly 9,400 EU companies and 2,600 non-EU companies and expanding to another 4,800 companies in year two, the impact will be felt globally throughout all of these companies’ vast supply chains.  Transformational for Global Supply Chains The amalgamation of these regulations will lead to a transformative shift in the way companies source products. The implications are profound and will require a fundamental change in the way global companies operate. The laws are so far-reaching and expansive it will take decades for companies to catch up and all the impacts to be felt. In the short term these laws will result in brands being risk adverse and conducting traditional due diligence, but that approach will quickly prove insufficient. CSDDD is impactful, "because it deals with the way the supply chain is actually mandated to collaborate in order to deal with the other topic specific environmental and social laws. From a manufacturers’ point of view, a correctly implemented CSDDD is what stands between a tough but collaborative approach to industry transition and an exploding list of demands for investments, improvements, data and assurances,'" explained, the International Apparel Federation's secretary general Matthijs Crietee in an interview with Just Style . Crietee underscores the potential of CSDDD to shift the industry from a compliance-based to a due diligence-based approach, which is more likely to achieve meaningful results. "CSDDD not only means that manufacturers get a better deal, the entire industry should be better off moving from a compliance-based to a due diligence-based approach because it is simply better equipped to achieve results." Challenges lie ahead, particularly in balancing the implementation of CSDDD with other laws like the EU's forced labor act. These two laws seemingly govern many of the same activities and could end up coming into conflict with each other or result in brands and retailers pushing in the direction of transferring risk towards their suppliers. The EU's ESG legislation represents a pivotal turning point for the supply chains, setting a precedent for other regions and sectors. As companies navigate this new regulatory landscape, they must adopt more integrated and proactive approaches to sustainability and social responsibility.

Labor Solutions’ Worker Survey technology was designed specifically for complex supply chains. Flexible deployment methods and aggregated data sets allows for companies sourcing from a diverse set of suppliers to deploy a multilingual survey to all workers and collect comparable and aggregate data sets quickly. Buyers are able to track data by supplier, country and globally to better understand worker needs. Reports are instantly shared with suppliers to help them quickly address concerns. In September, on behalf of adidas, Labor Solutions deployed a worker pulse survey to 350,000 workers in 125 factories in 17 countries and languages at once. Workers were given four weeks to respond. adidas was able to collect nearly 70,000 responses from workers. The adidas worker pulse survey results in an Employee Net Promotor Score (eNPS) for each individual supplier. Both adidas and the factories us the score better understand work sentiment, engagement and wellbeing. The survey is planned to be sent to workers every six months and results are used by the suppliers and adidas to better capture workers' satisfaction levels and determine improvement opportunities. The eNPS is central to adidas' worker empowerment program and the scores contribute to the adidas social compliance key performance indicator (CKPI). Hearing directly from workers allows adidas to have a more holistic view of supplier performance and ensure worker safety and wellbeing throughout their supply chain. 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.

WOVO has “sizeable economic returns” for businesses, concludes an academic study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The randomized control trial took place in two factories at Shahi Exports – a large garment manufacturer in India. The study was made possible through a collaboration between Labor Solutions, The Children’s Place , Good Business Lab and Shahi Exports. Researchers asked: Does giving workers a voice – enabling direct communication of grievances and concerns with employers – impact workplace behavior and exit decisions? To answer this question, researchers randomly placed 7,500 workers at two Shahi factories into two groups: [Treatment group] The first group received training on the service and received SMS reminders encouraging them to use the service. [Control Group] The second group received no training nor any kind of encouragement to use WOVO. Ethically, they weren’t stopped from using it but were not formally introduced to the tool or encouraged to use it. The study measured three important workplace behaviors: retention, absenteeism, and productivity. Over the course of seven months, only five percent of workers in the treatment group used WOVO to proactively ask a question, suggest or make a report to management. Still, business and worker outcomes drastically improved , suggesting that the mere availability of WOVO is enough to improve worker engagement and improve the bottom line. In the paper’s conclusion, researchers found that “simply knowing it is possible to communicate concerns effectively, even if concerns arise only sporadically, increases worker utility enough to change workplace outcomes.” The Report’s Rate of Return Calculation Section stated: “Attendance and retention benefits totaled about 25,000 USD , implying a net rate of return of approximately 52%.” Workers in the treatment group were 5% less likely to be absent than workers in the control group. Workers and management found WOVO to be easy to use and that it brought a positive change in the work culture. Almost all workers owned a phone or had access to a phone. However, only 50% had a smartphone, indicating that in India SMS continues to be a critical functionality to make available to workers in WOVO facilities. The study showed that investing in worker voice technologies, such as WOVO, can drive long term profits by reducing costly worker turnover and absenteeism. Read more on ApparelResources.com ---- 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. For more information on how you can proactively identify your supply chain risks via WOVO and actually remediate them, get in touch with Labor Solutions at info@laborsolutions.tech .

2022 was a pivotal year for supply chain human rights due diligence . Globally, governments, investors and consumers are demanding more corporate accountability for human rights. These new mandates have increased global awareness of the importance rigorous programs protect and monitor human rights throughout supply chains and highlighted the faults of many existing tools. At Labor Solutions, we are energized by the global wake up call. We saw new stakeholders come to the table to discuss the social impact of businesses and salient human rights issues effecting supply chains. Labor Solutions’ tried and tested tools proved to be key to helping companies reach and go beyond new due diligence requirements. As a result, our business doubled. Labor Solutions Tools Are Now In the Hands of More Workers Than Any Other Tool in the Industry Labor Solutions tools are unique in the industry. Our subscription model means, once implemented, workers have ongoing, unlimited access to tools to help them be heard, empowered and provide them with access to key information. Now 1.5 million workers have active access to our tools. Over 90% of clients return annually. And in 2022 a majority of Labor Solutions’ clients increased the number of sites and workers covered by WOVO . As a result, by the end of 2022, more workers around the world feel heard and are educated, protected, and respected at their workplaces. A million workers now have access to safe and anonymous channel to ask a question, give a suggestion or report a concern. Over 250,000 cases were closed with a 88% satisfaction rating. Nearly 150,000 learning sessions were completed on rights and responsibilities, professional growth and personal wellbeing (on WOVO-- even more were completed outside of WOVO through our partners) Surveyed over a million workers globally 24 New Courses from Partners and Industry Leaders Added in 2022 Labor Solutions partnered with organizations like Better Work , FiftyEight , the Ethical Trade Initiative, ICRW and Arup + Kindling to digitizing courses, reducing duplication and amplifying industry-leading content. Labor Solutions released 24 new eLearning courses, including a set of core eLearning courses on Fair Working Conditions , Gender Equity , Responsible Recruitment and customized eLearning, equipping workers with necessary knowledge to be safe at workplace. Proven, Local Results: Our Favorite Case Studies from 2022 We pride ourselves on being able to provide global data, and local results. By educating and empowering individual facilities, direct, impactful change is being made on the ground. We heard lots of stories of success this year, our team gathered to discuss some of our favorites. Read our discussion here . 75% More Workers Returned to Factories Using WOVO after Factory Closures in Vietnam Burmese Garment Workers Want to be Heard, Finds Several Labor Solutions’ Surveys Educating Workers on Rights and Responsibilities is Key to a Functioning Grievance Mechanism Easier to Use, Simplified Design to Support Massive Scale: 2022 Product Updates To help our clients scale and meet the global mandates, in 2022, Labor Solutions focused on building systems, data sets and tools to help clients scale to thousands of supplier sites and cover millions of workers. Read how our team improved access to reach more workers across a more diverse population, added security features to protect workers in high-risk places, added data filters to help users understand specific demographic needs and more. What’s Ahead for 2023: Going Deeper into the Supply Chain to Reach More Workers + Integrating Data with ESG to Effect More Change In 2023, Labor Solutions continues to be committed to our mission to reduce supply chain risks by educating, connecting and engaging workers and suppliers. We believe stakeholders at all levels have a role to play in creating real change for workers. That's why we've built tools that engage all parties. We know in order to drive change the right people have to have the right data. To that end, in 2023, we'll focus on building more data connections and pathways to make integrating our data into ESG and traceability platforms and datasets easier, like we have with our partners Open Supply Hub . We'll also continue our thought leadership to define and measure the “S” in ESG and help investors, buyers and others define the role of worker engagement and voice in ESG. While we've made great strides in amplifying the voices of workers. Millions of workers and stakeholders go unheard. In 2023, we'll focus on digging deeper into the supply chain to capture the voice of everyone, through projects like our current partnership with Rainforest Alliance ’s LandScale Project. Data is a starting place, but data isn't enough. So, as we have for the last decade, in 2023, Labor Solutions will continue to go beyond technology and ensure successful and sustainable implementations through advisory services aimed at supporting and enabling social eco-systems. Our goal is to not only help companies meet corporate due diligence laws but to affect change and improve lives. We look forward to continued innovation and expansion in 2023. As always, we are thankful for our brand, supplier and multi-stakeholder partners who have supported our success thus far. 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 .

In developing the WOVO platform to address supply chain social sustainability, a primary emphasis was placed on the seamless integration of our tools. Our primary stakeholders; workers, suppliers, and brands already utilize various software and applications. WOVO needed to be simple, useful, and be a centralized hub of information. WOVO's four flagship tools are; WOVO Educate, WOVO Connect, WOVO Engage, and WOVO Improve.  Together these tools provide suppliers and brands with worker engagements, insights on their supply chain, and improvement plans for their social issues within their value chains. Coupled with our experienced implementation and advisory team WOVO has become one of the most trusted platforms by the workers in the industry, an all-in-one solution for suppliers and brands to improve their social and human rights performance. To maximize efficiency, use all WOVO’s tools together. Here’s how: Listen to Your Workers + Fix Issues WOVO Connect is the tool that enables suppliers (direct employers of the workers) and brands to listen to worker voices + get insights into value chains. Workers can anonymously voice their concerns through various communication channels (app, WeChat, WhatsApp, SMS, browser) of WOVO Connect and suppliers then can manage and action these concerns easily through a case management dashboard, which enables an auditable trail of communications plus powerful analytics. Brands, on the other hand, see data from WOVO Connect on their global dashboard, enabling real-time + transparent aggregated data of worker voices to identify issues early and to provide support to suppliers for remedy + prevention. Coupling WOVO Connect with WOVO Educate can drastically increase its efficiency, both to increase engagement and to prevent issues. In 2022, an Indonesian footwear manufacturer started implementing eLearning lessons for workers on “Understanding Grievances” and “Workplace Health + Safety”. The lessons explained health and safety standards and the importance of workers speaking up to help solve issues quickly. Immediately, Connect’s utilization increased—there was a 50% increase in the number of health and safety messages and reports; including reports of smoking, the need for new protective gloves, and insect infestations. The following quarter saw a 124% increase in the number of health and safety reports, indicating that the workers now understand and trust the grievance mechanism. WOVO Connect is more than a grievance management platform. The worker feedback can be an early indicators of larger issues within the production line. Deploying a targeted survey using WOVO Engage around the issue can provide more insights and understanding of the issues. For example, a factory in Vietnam receiving complaints about the canteen food decided to proactively reach out to workers and ask targeted questions to gain a better understanding. Armed with more information via WOVO Engage, the factory was able to increase workers’ satisfaction by 25% and increase production by 15% due to the complete elimination of absenteeism due to food-borne illness. Leveraging Worker Surveys to Prevent + Improve Social Issues WOVO Engage is a worker survey tool that is designed specifically for complex supply chains; enabling brands and suppliers to 1) design worker surveys based on localized risks, 2) deploy the surveys through WOVO’s multiple channels 3) get access to workers' opinions directly and 4) easily build reports + share with stakeholders. WOVO Engage ultimately gives real-time, structured feedback + insights from workers to make improvements around their wellbeing. Our standardized surveys such as; Nike’s Employee Engagement & Wellbeing Survey and Social and Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) Worker Engagement surveys give consistent + comparable data for benchmarking. During the economic downturn, an apparel manufacturer was facing challenges in meeting workers’ compensation satisfaction. Despite the recent increase in wages, the manufacturer was still receiving low scores from the workers in their standardized surveys. We co-designed a targeted survey to gather specific information on compensation and personal/family needs; aiming to capture not just monetary benefits, but also additional benefits + resources to aid workers facing these challenges. The survey showed that the workers lacked financial knowledge and faced high financial costs with childcare. Through WOVO Educate, the factory launched a financial literacy program, covering topics on savings, managing expenses, financial planning + more. These improvement actions + factory's commitment to open a child-care center resulted in a 23% increase in workers’ compensation satisfaction and an overall increase in their financial savings + planning. [ Read how one factory used WOVO Engage + WOVO Educate to reduce fire safety accidents by 80% ] Worker Surveys combined with WOVO Connect can also result in improved worker well-being and improved compliance with new Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) regulations. A factory in India conducted a survey and saw that 30% of the workers noted that the workplace negatively affected their health. A further inquiry revealed that the low workstations were the root cause, but the workers were too hesitant to report the issues. The factory immediately made ergonomic improvements at the workstation and implemented WOVO Connect. It was set up as a highly accessible and safe channel for workers to speak about their concerns directly with the management. Six months after these improvements,the factory saw a 44% reduction in the reporting of negative health impact and 33 points increase in their health and safety satisfaction. An Ecosystem of Tools to Engage, Connect, Educate, and Improve Worker's Lives By using this ecosystem of tools in combination WOVO can provide you with more effective usage of the grievance mechanisms, more transparent + accurate data, and a better understanding of the issues happening within your value chain. The integrated tools can also help you prevent further risks and take action to communicate and make improvements with the workers. These contextualized data are also used in our automated improvement plans provided to the suppliers through WOVO Improve. The suppliers are given a customized plan with a checklist of to-dos, access to resources via the marketplace, and recommended specific eLearning lessons to make improvements. If suppliers need support, our advisory team will provide hands-on consultation to make meaningful changes in their production lines, ultimately improving workers’ lives and increasing businesses’ bottom line. [ Read how WOVO can contribute to sizeable economic returns for businesses. ]

2023 has been a year filled with client success and regulatory change. In 2023 Labor Solutions reached more workers than ever. We built new partnerships and launched updated products. Meanwhile, HRDD laws continue to emerge and take shape globally. Here are our top reads of 2023; Top Case Studies of 2023 Worker Survey: Capturing the Voice of Community Stakeholders with Rainforest Alliance Labor Solutions' tools have proven effective globally - spanning manufacturing, packaging, and mining supply chains. This collaboration with LandScale, led by Rainforest Alliance and partners, integrated human rights and development data in worker survey data sets. WOVO Engage was deployed across whole geographic regions, not just specific agricultural supply chains and facilities. Read more Educating Workers on Rights + Responsibilities Key to a Functioning Grievance Mechanism In 2020, an Indonesian footwear manufacturer introduced WOVO Connect , a grievance management tool. While widely used for inquiries about leave, production targets, and salaries, it saw limited messages to the human resource team regarding health, safety, and other critical issues. In 2022, we deployed an eLearning course on "Understanding Grievances and Health + Safety" - which led to a 50% immediate increase in health and safety reports, followed by a notable 124% surge the next quarter, signaling heightened worker trust in the system and management. Read more Supporting Workers’ Financial Needs — How One Company Saw a 23% Increase in Worker Satisfaction Facing challenges in worker compensation satisfaction during an economic downturn, an apparel manufacturer undertook targeted surveys focusing on compensation and personal/family needs. The findings revealed that over 80% of workers didn't plan before significant purchases and high childcare costs hindered family members from working. To address these issues, a financial literacy program via WOVO Educate was initiated - the outcome was a substantial 23% increase in workers' compensation satisfaction. Read more Top Reads of 2023 EU Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDDD): A Practical Guide for Businesses The EU Directive on CSDDD, commonly called the “EU Directive on Due Diligence” is a regulation that requires businesses to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for the potential adverse human rights and environmental impacts of their operations and value chains. Read More Labor Solutions Approved as SLCP's WE-Tech Service Provider SLCP, t he Social and Labor Convergence Program , i s an industry initiative to harmonize the collection of data on working conditions and reduce the social audit burden. This year, SLCP is adding the ca pability for worker surveys  call ed WE-Tech, or worker-engagement technology, and strongly encourages it to be included in their supplier assessment. Read More Building an Effective Worker Survey Tools for Supply Chain Workers How we built an industry-leading tool and the collection of feedback from millions of workers - never needing to close a survey without reaching the determined sample size in the past decade. Read More ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Labor Solutions,  a women-owned and -led impact-focused business, leverages technology to build resilient supply chains by connecting , engaging  and educating  workers. Over 1.8 million workers in 28 countries use Labor Solutions’ worker engagement platform, WOVO Engage .  Labor Solutions’ advisory services focus on building healthy social eco-systems within companies with global supply chains that engage workers, suppliers and buyers and support and facilitate responsible business practices and protection of human rights.

Labor Solutions’ Jen Green presented the following case study on a Verite’s Panel  “Amplifying migrant workers' voices through digital solutions – a crucial challenge and delicate balance. Malaysian companies face increased scrutiny over recruitment practices and treatment of migrant workers, especially in the electronics manufacturing sector . This case study explores how one electronics manufacturer took significant steps to become a more responsible employer by leveraging WOVO's comprehensive tools, enhancing their human resources management, and improving migrant worker safety, protection and wellbeing. Context + Background A Malaysian electronics manufacturer employs approximately 4,000 workers, with 40% being migrants from Nepal, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. In response to increased buyer due diligence and growing awareness among management and workers, the company sought to leverage WOVO tools to improve its practices and address specific challenges concerning migrant workers. Challenges Lack of Systematic Workplace Risk Prevention : Despite a rigorous due diligence process for recruitment agencies, there was no systematic approach to prevent workplace risks or educate management on globally recognized standards and appropriate practices. Underutilized Grievance Mechanisms : Existing mechanisms like suggestion boxes and hotlines were underutilized due to language barriers and cultural differences, leading to insufficient insights for top management. Limited Engagement of Migrant Workers : Migrant workers were less outspoken about their needs and issues, often communicating within their own groups rather than engaging in company activities and initiatives. Solution: Implement WOVO: A Supplier-Owned Platform to Engage, Educate + Listen to Workers.  The factory decided to work with Labor Solutions to implement the WOVO Ecosystem, enabling the company to integrate human rights due diligence into human resources management and address issues holistically. All workers gained access to the WOVO platform and were able to access eLearning modules, a grievance mechanism and newsletters and updates from the factory. All in their local language.  WOVO eLearning for Managers All managers were enrolled in the following eLearning modules via the WOVO app:   ✓ Responsible Recruitment (Just Good Work) ✓ Communication for Managers WOVO eLearning for Workers : All workers were enrolled in the following eLearning modules via the WOVO app:   ✓ Responsible Recruitment (Just Good Work) ✓ Fair Working Conditions (Better Work) WOVO Connect : Grievance Mechanism : Allowed workers, especially migrants, to easily and safely report issues directly to management via various channels, including multimedia submissions. Case Management Tool : Enabled HR to view all grievances, triage issues, and respond effectively using auto-translate features and live data analysis. HR Communication Tool to Support Connect Beyond Grievances : Shared company updates in multiple languages and organized regular events to connect and engage with migrant workers. Results: Education + Ease of Access Led to Increased Migrant Worker Engagement The implementation of WOVO's solutions resulted in improved engagement between management and migrant workers, enabling proactive and effective identification and addressing of potential human rights risks: 13x Increase in Reporting: 13x more cases were submitted in the first six months post-WOVO launch,than in the whole year before WOVO 50% of cases from migrant workers. Identified Risks : Issues included excessive heat on the work floor, inadequate drinking water, poor canteen sanitation, substandard hostels, and scam calls. The Right Tools Enabled the Factory to Collect, React + Respond to Workers Better + Faster WOVO case management system provided the factory with the tools they needed to understand + remediate issues Prompt Responses : 98% of cases received a response within 48 hours. Effective Resolutions : 95% of cases were resolved within an average of six weeks, with 77% of resolutions rated satisfactory by workers. Better Data   Enabled the Factory to Address Incidents + Improve Processes Systemic Remediation + Prevention : ✓ Worker Housing Improvements ✓ Additional Manager Training ✓ Support to Help Workers Identify Scams Increased Worker Social Participation ✓ Inclusive approach to planning events, sports competitions ✓ Introduction of foods suggested by migrant workers By leveraging WOVO's comprehensive solutions, the company significantly improved the management and wellbeing of its migrant workers, highlighting the importance of responsible practices and innovative solutions in the industry.