Promoting Decent Work in Supply Chains - Strategic use of international labour standards and human rights instruments

The Asia-Pacific region served as a critical hub for trade and investment, significantly contributing to economic growth and job creation through its complex supply chains. However, these intricate networks posed substantial challenges for workers, including risks of exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and violations of human rights. Recent global disruptions highlighted the fragility of these supply chains, underscoring the imperative for sustainable practices that prioritize workers' welfare. OBJECTIVES The course aimed to enhance trade unions' capacity to advocate for decent work within supply chains by effectively engaging in Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) processes. Pedagogical | Course Outcomes Upon completion of the course, participants were expected to: - comprehend and define the principles of decent work within supply chains. - analyze challenges and develop scalable trade union practices to achieve decent work. - utilize core labour standards and international frameworks for policy development and interventions. - design and implement union strategies for decent work through social dialogue and collective bargaining. Pedagogical Approaches The course employed a flexible and inclusive online learning model over four weeks, integrating synchronous live sessions with asynchronous self-guided modules. Interactive digital tools and collaborative group activities enhanced the learning experience, mirroring traditional in-person training. Participants engaged in quizzes and evaluations, with successful completion resulting in the awarding of a digital certificate from ITCILO. CONTENT The Onboarding period prepared participants for eLearning with an introductory webinar covering course navigation and the development of learning application plans. Module 1 introduced the concepts of Decent Work, Responsible Business Conduct, HRDD, and relevant international frameworks. Module 2 explored the growing significance of HRDD and its implications for business management and labour rights. Module 3 discussed trade union engagement in HRDD, focusing on remediation mechanisms and global frameworks. Module 4 concluded the course with strategies for applying learned concepts and developing action plans for post-training implementation.