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Definition-Global Agreement: Also referred to as an international framework agreement, it is "an instrument negotiated between a multinational enterprise and a Global Union Federation (GUF) in order to establish an ongoing relationship between the parties and ensure that the company respects the same standards in all the countries where it operates" (ILO Press Release, 2007).



Speaking at the 98th International labour conference, Philip Jennings General Secretary of UNI Global Union reveals the growing support for global agreements (GA). Evidence of this can be seen in the increasing numbers of GA’s being signed. Government leaders are also expressing their support. GA’s are considered the best vehicle for delivering decent working conditions in multinational companies across the globe. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) is key to being part of their growth. Mr Jennings said this to the conference:



“We look to the ILO to assist unions and business to reach global agreements. There are now over 80 in existence. UNI has negotiated 31; our target is 50 by the time of our Nagasaki Congress in 2010 and 100 by 2014.



Our message to all global employers is to build a dialogue with UNI, to establish a framework based on ILO standards and to work together to resolve issues and promote decent work. We welcome the Norwegian Government White paper that supports global agreements.”



The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlights the importance of these agreements in a recent paper on corporate social responsibility. The Government asks that Norwegian companies actively work in favour of global agreements, based on the ILO core conventions and to contribute to strengthening workers' rights. It also states that companies should consider ways of establishing some sort of system, that could ensure that the voice of workers are heard in workplaces in those countries that do not have freedom to organise or collectively bargain. Foreign Minister Mr. Jonas Gahr Støre said in his comment as the paper was published “It’s the responsibility of policy makers and the business sector to ensure decent working conditions do not stop at the Norwegian border.”



The United Nations Global Compact encourages businesses to sign global agreements. The United Nations Global Compact is a “strategic policy initiative for businesses that are committed to aligning their operations and strategies with ten universally accepted principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption”. Signing a global agreement is viewed as a tool for business to adhere to the labour principles that form part of the ten principles. Global agreements are also included frequently in Global Compact reporting exercises. The four UN Global Compact ‘Labour’ principles are:



Principle Three

Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;



Principle Four

the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;



Principle Five

the effective abolition of child labour; and



Principle Six

eliminate discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.



As multinational business operations grow it is even more important to develop a global framework of working standards that is maintained and enforced to ensure consistent business practice. Global agreements are a method for doing this and global union federations have the scope of employment experience to bring these partnerships together. UNI along with the global union movement have taken this message to the ILO and the G20. The recently agreed ILO Jobs Pact also includes a push for social dialogue and collective bargaining between unions and employees to deal with the social fall out from the crisis.



Mr Jennings makes this point at the conference:

“There are global companies that state that all labour matters are devolved locally, even when they have published global standards. Too often local practice is inconsistent with those standards. We have a duty to research and raise these inconsistencies. We see an important role for the ILO – to act as a facilitator to promote global agreements and help deal with any conflicts.”



The Norwegian Government ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ paper has just been released in English and is attached to this article in the related files tab at the top of the page.