On 30 November 2012, Social Accountability International (SAI) and CIVIDEP are organising the 1st Electronics Sector Multi Stakeholder Round Table, in Chennai (India). This roundtable will bring together local and global stakeholders to enable dialogue and discussion on industry challenges as well as the effective implementation of workplace standards. Stakeholders include brand companies, manufacturers, trade unions, civil society organizations, e-recyclers and international organizations. Desired outcome: the establishment of a Electronics Multistakeholder Advisory Committee (E-MAC) and a joint plan of action for 2013.
1st Electronics Sector Multi Stakeholder Round Table in Chennai (India) on 30 November 2012. This roundtable will bring together local and global stakeholders to enable dialogue and discussion on industry challenges as well as the effective implementation of workplace standards. Stakeholders include brand companies, manufacturers, trade unions, civil society organizations, e-recyclers and international organizations.
Background
According to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, electronics hardware production is projected to grow from US$ 20 billion in 2009 to US$ 400 billion by 2020, including exports of US$ 80 billion. Some of the major electronics products which are manufactured in India are computers, mobile phones, medical equipment, consumer electronics and components. While the sector continues to expand and currently provides employment to more than 4 million people, workplace standards including labour practices, occupational and environmental health&safety have become a growing concern. Social dialogue is the foundation of stable employment and sustainable business. It should address two key aspects: workplace standards and continual improvement of working conditions. Sustainable resolutions of the most challenging issues are often beyond the sphere of influence of any single stakeholder.
Topics to be covered
- Introduction to UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and how to implement them in the
- electronics sector as a common standard for brands and suppliers
- Identify and prioritize challenging issues
- Discuss strategies to improve working conditions in the electronics sector
- Propose an Electronics Multistakeholder Advisory Committee (E-MAC) for 2013
Possible outcome
Stakeholders will prioritize key challenges to be addressed and propose a plan of action for 2013.
About Cividep - www.cividep.org
Cividep-India is an NGO based in Bangalore, India, which works to ensure that businesses comply with human rights, labour rights and environmental standards. Our workers’ rights initiatives have been in the garments, electronics manufacturing and plantation sectors.
About SAI - www.sa-intl.org
SAI is a non-governmental, international, multi-stakeholder organization dedicated to improving workplaces and communities by developing and implementing socially responsible standards. SAI convenes key stakeholders to develop consensus-based voluntary standards, conducts cost-benefit research, accredits auditors, provides training and technical assistance, and assists corporations in improving social compliance in their supply chains.
Project Contacts
SAI: Rishi Sher Singh, RSingh[AT]sa-intl.org
Cividep: Laura Ceresna-Chaturvedi, laura[AT]cividep.org
