Local authorities must work to eradicate exploitation, says UNISON

Local authorities are not doing enough to protect workers’ rights globally, according to research published today (Monday) by UNISON. According to the report Ethical Procurement in UK Local Authorities, produced by People & Planet on behalf of UNISON, only eight of the 190 local authorities looked at had a standalone ethical procurement policy. The UK local government sector spent almost £60 billion on goods and services in 2016 – a huge percentage of the market – giving local authorities vast potential to influence environmental and employment policies, says UNISON. Products bought and used by local authorities have long and complex supply chains with production taking place in a number of locations. These supply chains are controlled by companies whose low-cost, fast production business models have led to abuses of workers’ rights including forced labour, according to the report. Some local authorities are implementing sustainable and ethical procurement strategies but these lack depth and do not put adequate practices in place to have any real or tangible impact on supply chains, says UNISON. UNISON is urging local authorities to use their purchasing power to improve the lives of people affected by global supply chains, both within the UK and across the world. UNISON head of local government Heather Wakefield said: “Any abuse of human rights is unacceptable and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. “UK local government is in a position to influenc...
Source: UNISON Health care news - Category: UK Health Authors: Tags: News Press release heather wakefield local government procurement Source Type: news