News Release
US Department of Labor awards $2M grant to ILO for project to strengthen global social compliance systems, combat forced labor in supply chains
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $2 million award to the International Labor Organization to further support the use of worker-driven, social compliance systems to promote fundamental labor rights and acceptable work conditions, including an end to forced labor in supply chains.
Funded by the Bureau of International Labor Affairs, the Strengthening Social Compliance Systems Project will be piloted in the Indonesian palm oil sector in an effort to create or refine a model for worker-driven social compliance systems. Once refined, the model can be replicated in other countries and sectors to promote worker voice and fair working conditions.
Launched today as part of the U.S. government’s second National Action Plan on Responsible Business Conduct, the project is part of the action plan in which the U.S. government commits to leveraging its resources to advance responsible business conduct and identify, prevent and mitigate the risk of adverse business impacts. The plan also commits to deepening engagement with civil society, organized labor and the private sector; providing businesses with tools and incentives to conduct worker-centric due diligence; strengthening coordination with governments; and applying best practices and lessons learned in U.S. government operations.
