Draft:Worker-driven Social Responsibility

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Worker-driven Social Responsibility (WSR) is a paradigm developed as a counterpoint to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), acknowledging the shortcomings of CSR in safeguarding the rights of workers at the bottom of supply chains[1]. The WSR model was developed by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), predominantly made up of migrant farmworkers from Immokalee, Florida in 2001. This initiative was a response to the failure of traditional corporate strategies to protect human rights[2] within the industry, where issues like forced labor, sexual assault, and vestiges of slavery were prevalent [3][4]. The origins of CIW and WSR are rooted in a dialogic approach, which was heavily influenced by the pedagogy of Paulo Freire. This pedagogical framework urges participants to engage in critical reflection concerning the unjust structures and power dynamics that perpetuate their oppression[5][6] .

The underlying assertion of WSR is that for social responsibility initiatives to be effective, the individuals whose rights are at stake must actively participate in – and be the primary agents of – the creation and execution of these initiatives [7]. The WSR model is characterized by its adaptability, designed to apply principles that can be tailored to various industries and locales, rather than a one-size-fits-all set of standards.

The Fair Food Program is the first operational WSR initiative. However the model is continuing the expand with WSR initiatives in different sectors and geographies (ex. Milk with Dignity - dairy in Vermont; Bangladesh Accord; Lesotho Agreement; UK Fishing pilot; Chile salmon-farming pilot).

The principles of WSR, as defined by the WSR Network, a collective of worker organizations, allies, and technical advisors, are:[8]

"Labour Rights Initiatives Must Be Worker Driven" - This tenet emphasizes that workers are the most invested in safeguarding their rights and should thus play a central role in designing and implementing programs that protect these rights, based on human rights and International Labour Organization conventions[9] [10].

"Obligations for Global Corporations Must Be Binding and Enforceable" - Acknowledging the ineffectiveness of voluntary initiatives, this principle highlights the necessity of enforceable commitments to empower workers to hold brands accountable.

"Buyers Must Afford the Financial Incentive and Capacity to Comply" - This principle addresses the issue of corporations driving down prices at the expense of suppliers and ultimately workers, suggesting that corporations must provide financial incentives for compliance with worker-driven standards.

"Consequences for Non-Compliant Suppliers Must Be Mandatory" - Stressing the need for impactful repercussions, this principle advocates for mandatory economic consequences for suppliers who violate workers' rights.

"Gains for Workers Must be Measurable and Timely" - Advocating for transparency and measurable improvements in worker conditions, this principle calls for metrics to track and report progress.

"Verification of Workplace Compliance Must Be Rigorous and Independent" - Ensuring the enforcement of WSR standards requires multi-layered monitoring, including worker education, a complaint hotline, and independent audits prioritizing worker voice.

These principles collectively aim to create a workplace centered around the dignity of workers, distinguishing WSR sharply from CSR. Where CSR views a crisis as a PR issue, WSR sees it as a human rights concern. CSR's voluntary nature contrasts with WSR's legally binding agreements and market enforcement mechanisms. An example of such enforcement in the Fair Food Program is the legal agreement between brands and worker organizations to buy only from growers who adhere to the Fair Food Code of Conduct, with the Fair Food Standards Council overseeing compliance.

The practical application of WSR can be seen in the Fair Food Code of Conduct, which includes standards like the "copete" rule. This rule addresses the exploitation of farmworkers who were forced to overfill their buckets without compensation – a specific issue that likely would not have been identified by external experts but was clearly understood by the workers themselves (Shivji, 2022).

In conclusion, WSR represents an effective approach to labor governance that prioritizes the engagement and protection of workers, leveraging market power to foster supply chains and workplaces that respect and uphold worker dignity.




References

  1. ISBN 978-1-80088-033-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link
    )
  2. doi:10.1007/s10551-023-05560-4
    .
  3. ^ Perea (2011). "The echoes of slavery: Recognizing the racist origins of the agricul- tural and domestic worker exclusion from the National Labour Relations Act". Ohio St. LJ. 95 (72).
  4. ^ Asbed and Sellers (2013). "The Fair Food Program: Comprehensive, verifiable and sustainable change for farmworkers". U. Pa. JL & Soc. Change. 39 (16).
  5. ^ Freire, Paulo (1994). "Pedagogy of Hope: Reliving Pedagogy of the Oppressed". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ^ Sellers, Sean (2009). "Del Pueblo, Para El Pueblo": The Coalition of Immokalee Workers and the Fight for Fair Food". Doctoral Disserta- Tion, University of Texas at Austin.
  7. ^ Asbed, Greg. entry/workerdriven-social-respo_b_5500104 "). Worker-driven social respon- sibility (WSR): A new idea for a new century". Huffington Post. {{cite news}}: Check |url= value (help)
  8. ^ WSR Network. -of-principles/. "Statement of Principles". WSR Network. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  9. ^ ILO. [https:// www.ilo.org/global/standards/introduction-to -international-labour-standards/conventions -and-recommendations/lang--en/index.htm. "Conventions and Recommendations"]. Conventions and Recommendations. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  10. ^ OHCHR. -human-rights-instruments-and-their -monitoring-bodies. "The core international human rights instruments and their monitoring bodies". {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
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