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WELCOME TO THE ARCHIVE (1994-2014) OF THE MAQUILA SOLIDARITY NETWORK. For current information on our ongoing work on the living wage, women's labour rights, freedom of association, corporate accountability and Bangladesh fire and safety, please visit our new website, launched in October, 2015: www.maquilasolidarity.org

2006

Ethical Trading ForumWill transparent reporting Lead to Better labour practices?

On May 18, 2006 the Ethical Trading Action Group (ETAG) sponsored a public forum in Toronto on transparency, reporting and collaboration to resolve labour rights issues in company supply chains. The meeting was followed by a civil society strategy meeting the following day.

Panels:

What Should Companies Report and Why? Is there a Downside to Transparency?

An interactive interview session, to explore and debate:

  • What are companies currently reporting on labour standards issues, and to whom?
  • What should companies report on labour standards issues, why, and to whom?
  • If more information was disclosed, how would companies, NGOs, unions use the information?
  • What role, if any, should government play in promoting more transparent reporting?

Neil KearneyModerators:

  • Dara O’Rourke, University of California at Berkeley
  • Neil Kearney, General Secretary, International Textile, Garment and Leatherworkers Federation (ITGLWF)

On the Hot Seat:

  • Caitlin Morris, Director of Integration & Collaboration, Compliance - Nike
  • Anna Walker, Manager, Government Affairs and Public Policy - Levi Strauss
  • Diane Brisebois, President and CEO - Retail Council of Canada
  • Lakshmi Bhatia, Director, Global Partnerships - Gap, Inc.
  • Kevin Thomas, Policy Analyst, Maquila Solidarity Network / ETAG

Collaboration with and among Stakeholders:

Why is it essential? What can be achieved? What are the Challenges?

  • How can companies, NGOs, unions, and researchers use information disclosed to promote sustainable compliance in the industry?
  • How can companies, NGOs and trade unions work together to promote sustainable compliance?
  • What role could government play in supporting and/or participating in such collaborative initiatives?

Panelists:

  • Lakshmi Bhatia, Director Global Partnerships, Gap, Inc. – MFA Forum in Bangladesh and Lesotho
  • Neil Kearney, General Secretary, ITGLWF – What’s essential for collaboration to work: A labour perspective (Experiences in Lesotho, Bangladesh and elsewhere)
  • Harvey Chan, Social Compliance Manager, Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) – The Canadian Experience

Read a review of the forum here.