Evaluation Learnings Search

Learning Description

The Mexican legal framework doesn’t allow governmental agencies to use data gathered by other non-governmental parties. One key lesson that emerged through the working session with partners is that in addition to the pandemic and the complexity of the project’s relationship with Secretaria del Trabajo y Previsión Social (Secretary of Labor and Social Welfare), it was important to take into consideration the existing legal barriers for non-governmental organizations to collect data and share it. This barrier limits the data available to governmental agencies as part of the labor inspection process. Since this approach was part of SENDEROS’ original implementation strategy, this unforeseen legal challenge contributed to implementation delays in activities under Outcome 1 ("Increased capacity by government officials to enforce labor laws specifically related to child labor, forced labor, occupational health and safety and other acceptable working conditions in the agricultural sector").

Learning Description

Tailored solutions and close collaboration enhance trust and ownership by private sector stakeholders and facilitate progress toward the expected outcomes. Stakeholders are more likely to trust the project when they see the specific, relevant,and practical approaches and products the project delivers—in contrast to those designed from a desk, without adequate attention to the unique context of the operating environment or the needs of their intended users. With the private sector, for example, supply chain due diligence tools were designed to respond to each stakeholder’s needs and the unique characteristics of each supply chain, rather than attempting to homogenize them across the board. This approach takes time because it involves carefully listening to stakeholders, then producing tailored solutions based on the companies’ needs. The interim assessment found that this process is key to advancing towards the project’s expected outcomes. This approach has proven to be effective with Secretaria del Trabajo y Previsión Social (Secretary of Labor and Social Welfare) and workers as well. The way that SENDEROS listened to Secretaria del Trabajo y Previsión Social and tailored solutions to address their needs has enhanced the level of trust between the project and the agency. The project acknowledges that dealing with complex situations requires building a foundation of trust among partners and key stakeholders, which can only be achieved through close collaboration over time.

Learning Description

Access to technology does not mean that private sector stakeholders and workers will use it. The option of using technology to replace in-person trainings for private sector stakeholders has limited effectiveness in the agricultural sector due to existing gaps among producers and workers in the use of technology. Studies conducted by the project show that while access to technology in the intervention areas is very good, the use of technology is limited to a few activities that do not require significant immersion on the part of the users. This contrast between technology access and use is exemplified by the way in which some workers use their cell phones: they may have a cell phone with access to mobile data but may not be fully or properly using all the tools on the device.

Learning Description

The presence of experienced staff dedicated to advancing private sector due diligence is crucial to SENDEROS’ progress under Outcome 2 ("Increased compliance with labor laws, including occupational safety and health and other unacceptable conditions of work, by private sector stakeholders in the agricultural sector") so far. Having staff focused on advancing due diligence in the private sector, such as social workers, facilitates collaboration between the project team and supply chains in the implementation of SENDEROS activities. To date, SENDEROS has had the most success in Outcome 2 activities with private sector stakeholders who are more open to hiring dedicated staff to work on due diligence matters. The project is gaining more traction with these types of organizations because they have dedicated staff available to support project activities. Interventions that have most benefited from this staffing approach are the due diligence tools, such as codes of conduct and hiring policies and procedures in the sugarcane sector, and the issuance of payment vouchers for workers in the tobacco sector.

Learning Description

It is important to start workers training with less sensitive topics to ensure their engagement. Workers shared that starting the training sessions with occupational safety and health topics generates trust and closeness between them and the partners. This approach facilitates an easier transition into more sensitive topics, such as child labor. In cases where the training started with sensitive topics such as forced labor and child labor, implementing partners noted that workers were more hesitant and uncomfortable during the training.

Learning Description

The creation of an Ethics Committee for a tobacco company to respond to workers’ needs. One important contribution that has emerged from SENDEROS is the Ethics Committee established by a participating tobacco company. The structure and criteria to create this new committee were developed in collaboration with SENDEROS under Output 2.1.2 ("Private sector partners trained on key topics in enforcement and on the use of upgraded tools and other resources") of the project. This is the first step for the tobacco company to develop a grievance mechanism that responds to workers' needs. This is also an example of how the project has been reading the moment and responding to each company’s specific needs. This committee leverages the compliance committee already in place before the project began and is considered a promising practice for potential replication.

Learning Description

Building on existing initiatives and common interests, particularly among private sector stakeholders, to enhance efficiency. Throughout implementation, SENDEROS has built on existing efforts or progress made by different stakeholders, both from the public and private sectors. Identifying, valuing, and recognizing participating stakeholders’ progress and common interests has helped the project determine how to adapt, improve, or expand capacities, in turn enhancing the project’s efficiency. This approach also increases stakeholders’ ownership of the changes and outcomes that have been achieved both through the project’s interventions and through their own initiatives. The project's capacity building and facilitation approach, which includes integrating stakeholder experiences into the intervention strategies, has proven to be effective and could be adopted as standard practice for the remaining implementation period. SENDEROS’ work with one sugarcane company helps exemplify this promising practice. When SENDEROS arrived, the company was already working on a code of conduct. However, the individuals drafting the document were not familiar with the exact content requirements outlined in the national legal framework. SENDEROS was proactive in supporting the company to build on what they had started to develop a strong policy.

Learning Description

Scheduling workers’ training during meals or breaks to better facilitate their learning. In the case of the sugarcane sector, the time of day that training sessions were scheduled presented a particular challenge for the project. Technical training sessions often take place at the beginning of harvesting activities, while other work sessions may take place at the end of the day once harvesting activities are complete. SENDEROS consulted with different partners, including farm workers, on the best time to conduct training and learned that workers pay more attention when the sessions are short and take place during break times associated with meals directly at the cutting fronts. This benefits the farm workers in two ways: on the one hand, it allows them to directly connect the topics with the farm work and motivates the participation of all the workers present on the site; and on the other hand, by using rest and relaxation times, it facilitates the workers' full concentration and better understanding of the topics addressed.

Learning Description

Frequent and transparent communication that facilitates stakeholders' active engagement and participation. Throughout implementation SENDEROS has been communicating frequently and transparently with project stakeholders. All interventions were developed in consultation with each of the stakeholders before implementation began. This approach helped stakeholders better understand the purpose of the work, ensure that the actions respond to their needs, and create space for suggesting adjustments. Their voices were heard, and their opinions were incorporated into the activities. Secretaria del Trabajo y Previsión Social (Secretary of Labor and Social Welfare) is perhaps the most relevant example, but SENDEROS has also applied this strategy to its work with private sector stakeholders and workers, albeit in a more limited way. Throughout implementation, SENDEROS has facilitated effective communication with stakeholders by reading the moment and understanding their existing capacities. This collaborative, communicative approach helps stakeholders understand that it is better to work together and solve issues in a proactive and organized manner by receiving technical assistance from the project.

Learning Description

The project combined diverse expertise from various fields to deliver a high-quality electronic case management system. While designing and developing the electronic case management system, the project was able to tap into a range of areas of expertise (from among staff, consultants, Ministry of Labor/General Labor Inspectorate staff) in subjects such as labor inspection, labor legislation, development and optimization of procedures; along with IT expertise. As a result, according to key stakeholders, the project was able to deliver a high-quality operational electronic case management system with capacity to effectively respond to current standards and needs of the Ministry of Labor/General Labor Inspectorate.