Assessment Task 3:Analysis of Contemporary Media Reporting on the World of Work
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WiGSweek10-Tutorialslides.pptxWork in a Global Society
Socially Responsible Management and Workers Rights
Tutorial
Group Assignments
Presentation of research projects:
These presentations are not marked or part of your assessment. It is an opportunity for your group to tell other class members about your important research findings.
One or more representatives from each group should provide a 5 minute presentation that covers:
The focus and purpose of the project
A profile of who was interviewed
The 3-4 major research findings
How your research findings relate to existing research on the topic
2-3 key conclusions
A Q&A discussion involving the whole class will follow each presentation.
Use the remaining time to work with group members and seek advice from your tutor.
Key concepts and questions
Concepts:
International Labour Standards and Core Labour Standards
Voluntary Codes of Conduct
The Global Compact
Questions:
How would you describe the debates about the relationship between CSR and workers rights?
“Behind a facade of social responsibility, profits always trumped social concerns. CSR was only a fig leaf hiding abusive treatment of workers” (Compa, 2008: 1). Drawing upon evidence provided in the readings, discuss the strengths and limitations of this statement.
What has been the role of the ILO in improving international labour standards and how effective has the ILO been in accomplishing these aims?
RMIT University
Slide 3
Required Readings
Natsuda, K., Goto, K. and Thoburn, J. (2010) ‘Challenges to the Cambodian garment industry in the global garment value chain’ European Journal of Development Research 22: 469-493.
Yu, X. (2015) ‘Upholding labour standards through corporate social responsibility policies in China’ Global Social Policy, 15 (2): 167-187.
Compa, L. (2008) ‘Corporate Social Responsibility and Workers’ Rights’, Comparative Labor Law and Policy Journal 30 (1): 1-10.
RMIT University
Slide 4
Work in the News
Work in the News
https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/beyond-trafficking-and-slavery/voluntary-confidential-corporate-social-responsibility-helps-hide-worker /
Evaluating CSR’s role in improving international labour standards
“Behind a facade of social responsibility, profits always trumped social concerns. CSR was only a fig leaf hiding abusive treatment of workers” (Compa, 2008: 1).
Drawing upon the Compa reading answer:
What does the statement mean?
Why does he make this statement?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of this statement as highlighted by Compa?
What is Compa’s final evaluation/conclusion to this statement?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of this statement based on our other readings and case studies?
Voluntary Codes of Conduct and Workers Rights
Voluntary codes of conduct:
Non-prescribed voluntary codes of conduct which set out specific standards of conduct for a company or industry on issues related to how to deal with customers, employees, the environment, etc. The codes only apply to those firms that sign up to them.
They are guidelines that aim to encourage companies and industries to conduct themselves in ways that benefit the firms, employees and the broader community.
Many companies prefer voluntary codes of conduct to legal regulations.
RMIT University
Slide 8
The Case of Ferrero
RMIT University
Slide 9
In Groups:
Conduct online research and briefly outline the key features and focal points of Ferrero’s:
Social responsibility and voluntary codes of practice
Plan for monitoring and evaluating their CSR progress
The Case of Ferraro
RMIT University
Slide 11
In Groups
Conduct online research and briefly outline recent concerns about Ferrero’s relationship to the use of child labour. Issues to consider:
What is the nature of the claims and who is making them?
How strong are the claims?
How has Ferrero responded to these claims?
How have retailers of Ferrero products responded?
Evaluate: based on the Ferrero case study, what can we learn about CSR and Voluntary Codes of Conduct?
ILO’s International Labour Standards
In groups answer the following questions:
What are international labour standards?
How are international labour standards created?
Who adopts international labour standards?
How are international labour standards used?
Resources:
http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_norm/@normes/documents/publication/wcms_084165.pdf
