Ethical Trading Initiative

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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]. Littlewoods is owned by Associated British Foods which also owns Primark[8]. Primark has come under repeated criticism for the exploitation of workers producing its clothes. For example, War on Want's 2008 report, 'Fashion Victims II: How UK clothing retailers are keeping workers in poverty', 'exposes the appalling conditions faced by workers producing clothes for Primark, Tesco and Asda. The report comes two years on from War on Want’s original Fashion Victims report, published in December 2006, which found that garment workers struggle to survive on extremely low pay, suffering poor working conditions, arduous hours and a complete lack of trade union representation in the factories'. The report continues by stating that despite promises from companies to improve the lives of their workers, 'workers are now in an even worse position than they were before.'[9]

Vice Chair:

Corporate representatives:

Trade union representatives:

NGO representatives:

Department for International Development (DFID) observer:

Membership

In 2009, ETI lists its members as follows[10]

Companies

Trade Unions

Non-governmental organisations

   * The Fairtrade Foundation
   * Traidcraft Exchange
   * TWIN Trading
   * Women in Informal Employment: Globalising and Organising (WIEGO)
   * Women Working Worldwide (WWW)


Suspended membership

In 2007, Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) resigned from ETI 'following their suspension for refusing to adopt the ‘Living Wage ’ provision of the ETI Base Code'. They were initially given a 12 month suspension by the ETI but later resigned claiming that they did not believe it possible to impliment a living wage provision with their suppliers[11].


Affiliations

Subsidiaries

Publications

Contact details, Resources, Notes

Contact

  • Address:
  • Phone:
  • Fax:
  • Website:

External Resources

Notes

  1. ↑ Ethical Trade Initiative About the Ethical Trade Initiative Accessed 15th January 2009
  2. ↑ Ethical Trade Initiative About the Ethical Trade Initiative Accessed 15th January 2009
  3. ↑ Ethical Trading Initiative ETI Press Release. 9th May 2002. Accessed 15th January 2009
  4. ↑ Ethical Trading Initiative Press Release 9th May 2002. Accessed 15th January 2009
  5. ↑ Ethical Trading Initiative ETI Board Accessed 15th January 2009
  6. ↑ Ethical Trading Initiative ETI Board Accessed 15th January 2009
  7. ↑ Ethical Trading Initiative Press Release 9th May 2002. Accessed 15th January 2009
  8. ↑ Butler, S. (2005)'Primark expands after ABF buys Littlewoods stores' Times Online. 12th July 2005. Accessed 15th January 2009
  9. ↑ War on Want 'Fashion Victims II: How UK clothing retailers are keeping workers in poverty'. December 2008. Accessed 15th January 2009
  10. ↑ Ethical Trading Initiative Members of the Ethical Trading Initiative Accessed 15th January 2009
  11. ↑ Ethical Trading Initiative Resignation of Levi Strauss & Co. from ETI. 5th February 2007. Accessed 15th January 2009
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