EU Beet Sugar Sustainability Partnership Social Aspects. Social Dialogue in the EU Sugar Industry Plenary Committee Meeting

Transcription

1 EU Beet Sugar Sustainability Partnership Social Aspects Social Dialogue in the EU Sugar Industry Plenary Committee Meeting

2 EU Beet Sugar Sustainability Partnership. The European beet growers (CIBE), sugar producers (CEFS) and trade unions of the food and agriculture sector (EFFAT) have formalised a landmark agreement to jointly highlight and report on representative Good Practices of sustainable production of beet sugar in the EU.

3 Objectives 1. To facilitate the access to and dissemination of knowledge regarding sustainable practices in the sector. 2. To help consolidate sustainable practices in EU beet growing and processing. 3. To provide a platform for future dialogue in the field of sustainability with other sector stakeholders.

4 Timeline

5 What topics?

6 External advisors In practice

7 Good Social Practices Current Status 1. Structured around the 8 sections of the Code of Conduct plus a tentative new one: local economy. 1)Human rights 5) Fair pay 2) Education and Training 6) Working conditions 3) Health and Safety 7) Restructuring 4) Social dialogue 8) Choice of suppliers 2. Main sources for the good practices are CSR reports, ad hoc surveys and Issues: - Some practices clearly not relevant anymore (e.g. company does not exist anymore) - Many practices are a bit old (i.e. before the 2006 Reform) and need to be checked if still in place and in what form. - Practices need to be representative. So far, subjective selection of what seems to be a generalised practice.

8 Good Social Practices Draft Example (1) 1. HUMAN RIGHTS & BASIC LABOUR STANDARDS Basic Principle (to be respected in all cases) 1.1 Freedom of association and right to collective bargaining (a) (b) Companies respect the freedom of association and thus the right for all workers to establish trade unions and to affiliate, including for workers representatives the right of access to the enterprise (ILO convention 87). Companies recognize the effective right to collective bargaining as well as the right for worker representatives to get facilities as appropriate in order to carry out their functions promptly and efficiently. (ILO conventions 98 and 135). Processing Agriculture Modalities & Examples of representative good practices. 1. Facilitating the effective representation of workers interests in works councils. EU sugar companies can: - provide adequate facilities for union representatives to carry out their functions. - organise a detailed information session/seminar (generally lasting several days) with union representatives. - allow key union representatives of the works councils to visit other countries production sites. - pay for the loss of working time and the travel cost of the union representatives. Why is this practice important or interesting? A good exchange between employers and employees through effective works councils allow employers to compare the problems and establish strategies with the trade unions concerning safety and consolidation of the social standards. This has positive consequences on the working climate. The international visits also allow workers to have a broader view of the company s activities and tasks. Example(s): Agrana group (AT, CZ, HU, RO, SK), other.

9 Good Social Practices Draft Example (2) 2. EDUCATION AND TRAINING Basic Principle (to be respected in all cases) 2.1 Education and training (a) (b) (c) Companies give specific training to employees as regards technical aspects connected with the production process and the field of health and safety at the workplace, and all other relevant aspects connected with the enterprise. Education and training constitute an integral part of the social dialogue in the companies. Proposals and initiatives by the employees and their representatives are welcome and will be implemented in accordance with national habits. In association with national farmers associations members of COPA and GEOPA, European beet growers endorse the European agreement on vocational training in agriculture dedicated to agricultural workers (2002) Processing Agriculture Modalities & Examples of representative good practices. [For training on Health and Safety, please refer to Section 3 ] 8. Companies provide training to staff regarding topics around stress management. Trainings cover one or several of the following areas: - Conciliation of work and family life. - Communication and conflict management. - Leadership training for current and potential managers. - Techniques to deal with stress individually. - Keeping a healthy and balance lifestyle including adequate nutrition during campaign shifts. - Burn-out prevention and mitigation. Why is this practice important or interesting? [Paragraph to be developed] Example(s): Agrana, Nordzucker, Südzucker, 9. Companies provide training leading to a professional certification of skills. Why is this practice important or interesting? An accreditation of certain professional skills increases the future employability of workers. [...to be developed?] [Local example?: France: Recognition of a professional qualification certificate for the sugar industry through national collective bargaining. This certificate being recognised by all other branches of the food sector. ] 10. Other areas of training/education...?

10 Good Social Practices What we need from you 1. Help us to check old practices in and to provide updates as needed ( s sent). 2. Check the Draft Good Social Practices (to be circulated early March) and let us know if you do the same practice, a different one or a new one! 3. Attend the meeting of the Partnership WG Social Affairs on 21 March. And please send us any other suggestion you may have.

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12 Further reading: In order to know more about the European beet sugar chain partners and their sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility record, you can refer to the following documents: EFFAT-CEFS annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) implementation reports ( ): CIBE-CEFS joint reports on environmental sustainability (2003, 2010): Study on The Carbon Footprint of EU Beet Sugar (2012):