UNI Seeks Agreements with Banks on Worker Rights

Veröffentlicht: 24 April 2009
Google translate: 

 UNI Property Services Global Union has resolved to launch its Responsible Contractor Policy (RCP) and to ask major multinational banks to sign the RCP before International Justice Day, June 15, this year.



At the Property Services Global Meeting in New York on April 1st and 2nd unions from six continents agreed to focus on banks, who are a major client of security and cleaning contract companies throughout the world. Even for the largest security services company in the world, G4S, banks are a hugely influential player, providing almost 30% of total revenue.



Many multinational banks participate in corporate social responsibility initiatives such as the Global Compact, Global Reporting Initiative and the Equator Principles. UNI is asking them to take some practical action to demonstrate their commitment to worker rights by signing the RCP which will commit them to only hiring contractors which treat their workers with respect, allow the right to create a union and obey the national laws.



In the aftermath of the financial crisis and government bailouts of so many financial institutions, there are renewed calls for these institutions to acknowledge their responsibility to society at large. Some of the banks UNI is asking to sign the RCP have received tens of billions of dollars worth of government aid in the United States and Europe.



On 15 June 2009, UNI and its affiliates will take action to encourage banks who have not yet done so to sign the RCP.