2024-06-12

Collaboration Between Trade Unions and Civil Society Organisations in the Protection of Human Rights in Companies

Initiative for Global Solidarity (IGS)

Workshop on Recommendations for Increased Participation of Trade Unions and CSOs in the Protection of Human Rights in Companies

The Center for Democracy Foundation organised a workshop on 12 June 2024 on the recommendations of the study entitled The Role of Trade Unions and Civil Society Organisations in the Protection of Human Rights in Supply Chains.

The workshop aimed to present the key points of the study and to exchange information on its findings and recommendations that may be useful for trade unions and civil society organisations in addressing issues related to the protection of human rights in supply chains.

The workshop discussed the importance of civil society and trade union engagement in the in-depth analysis of human rights, the challenges they face, opportunities for enhancing cooperation, and specific recommendations for increasing the participation of trade unions and civil society in the process of human rights due diligence in companies.

Participants included representatives of trade unions and CSOs such as United Branch Trade Unions (UBTU), the Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights – YUCOM, the Confederation of Autonomous Trade Unions of Serbia, the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights, the Association of Free and Independent Trade Unions of Serbia, the Duga Association, the Sloga Trade Union, the NGO Astra, the Confederation of Free Trade Unions, the Women’s Association of the Kolubara District, and others.

The study and workshop were prepared as part of a series of dialogues within the project Initiative for Global Solidarity (IGS), implemented by GIZ in Serbia. This project acts as part of broader efforts to achieve effective and active participation of institutions, trade unions, civil society, the business community, and other stakeholders in promoting due diligence in the protection of human rights and the environment in supply chains.

The Initiative for Global Solidarity (IGS) project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by the German organisation for international cooperation - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).