Carrefour group and trade union federation UNI Global Union have renewed their agreement to cooperate globally on workers’ rights in a meeting of the European Works Council held in Carrefour’s headquarters on 4 October.
The move is aimed at establishing a basis for promoting responsible business throughout the company’s operations, including its supply chain and franchisees.
This new agreement builds on the previous agreements that the retail giant entered into with the trade union in 2001 and 2015.
UNI General Secretary Christy Hoffman, said, “UNI has had a global agreement with Carrefour for 17 years and we’re pleased with the progress on workers’ rights but to be leaders in their field there is no room for complacency.”
The Agreement
According to the agreement, the two organisations will promote and encourage constructive social dialogue, undertake joint initiatives for diversity and equal opportunities in the workplace, defend the fundamental rights of workers.
It also includes cooperation between the retail giant and the trade union to address the issue of violence against women at work.
UNI head of commerce, Mathias Bolton, said, “Violence against women at work obviously has huge personal consequences for the victim but also for the entire workforce and the business.
"Carrefour is doing the right thing by committing to awareness-raising and prevention, before its too late, as well as giving victims proper support when necessary," Bolton added.
The renewed global agreement also demonstrates the practical steps Carrefour and UNI are taking together to apply labour standards, based on the fundamental rights conventions of the ILO, the UN Guiding Principles and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
Carrefour will take part in UNI’s Global Alliance for Hypermarkets and Grocery Chains on 8 November in Bucharest in Romania.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
