Ethical Trading Initiative
Contents
Background
The Ethical Trading Initiative describes itself as 'a ground-breaking initiative which brings together a wide range of organisations from all parts of society. Together, we aim to improve the lives of poor working people around the world. Specifically, we are an alliance of companies, NGOs and trade union organisations working to promote and improve the implementation of corporate codes of practice which cover supply chain working conditions'[1].
History
The Ethical Trading Initiative was set up in 1998 in response to increasing pressure from trade unions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and consumers to ensure decent working conditions for the people who produce the goods for companies selling food and clothing to UK consumers.
According to its website, the ETI was established 'to bring the combined knowledge and influence of relevant NGOs and the international trade union movement to work alongside these companies in identifying and promoting good practice in code implementation'.
Funding and finances
According to it's website, The ETI is 'funded by a combination of membership fees (currently [in 2009] comprising approximately 60% of our funding base) and a grant from the Department for International Development (40% of funding). Our members also contribute in-kind to ETI’s work (eg, staff time, travel expenses, meeting facilities)'[2].
In 2002, Clare Short, Secretary of State for International Development, sanctioned a three year grant from the government by awarding ETI £1.315m[3]
People
Director
Board
According to its website, the ETI's 'Board has nine voting members or directors, comprised of three representatives from each of the three main categories of members, ie, companies, trade union organisations, and NGOs. Each of the three constituencies also has one alternate director, who may attend Board meetings as a voting member if any of the other three representatives in their constituency is unavailable'[5].
In April 2008, ETI's Board consisted of[6]:
Chair:
- Alan Roberts - Group Business Standards Director for Littlewoods Retail Limited. Roberts has been on ETI's Board since 1998 and became Chair in 2002[7].
Vice Chair:
Corporate representatives:
- Pam Batty - Next
- Lakshmi Bhatia - Gap Inc. (alternate)
- Javier Chercoles Blazquez - Inditex
- Rob Brown - Boots UK
- Steve Homer - Flamingo Holdings (Co-opted Food Group)
Trade union representatives:
- James Howard - International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC)
- Neil Kearney - International Textiles, Garments and Leather Workers’ Federation (ITGLWF)
- Teresa Mackay - Unite
- Simon Steyne - Trades Union Congress (TUC)
NGO representatives:
- Maggie Burns - Women Working Worldwide
- Usha Kar - Africa Now
- Peter Williams - National Homeworkers Group (NGH)
- (Vacancy)
Department for International Development (DFID) observer:
Affiliations
Subsidiaries
Publications
Contact details, Resources, Notes
Contact
- Address:
- Phone:
- Fax:
- Website:
External Resources
Notes
- ↑ Ethical Trade Initiative About the Ethical Trade Initiative Accessed 15th January 2009
- ↑ Ethical Trade Initiative About the Ethical Trade Initiative Accessed 15th January 2009
- ↑ Ethical Trading Initiative ETI Press Release. 9th May 2002. Accessed 15th January 2009
- ↑ Ethical Trading Initiative Press Release 9th May 2002. Accessed 15th January 2009
- ↑ Ethical Trading Initiative ETI Board Accessed 15th January 2009
- ↑ Ethical Trading Initiative ETI Board Accessed 15th January 2009
- ↑ Ethical Trading Initiative Press Release 9th May 2002. Accessed 15th January 2009
