Multi-company Collective Bargaining Agreements

Many clothing brands outsource their production to low-wage countries. Some companies are doing well there but there are still many problems in terms of labour rights; think long working days, low wages, discrimination and violence.

To finally break this  ‘textile circle’ of just looking at the cheapest production conditions, through MC CBA'S together with brands we're investing in good agreements and conditions for workers at current production sites. 

‘Not just price, quality and speed, but better labour rights as a new sourcing criterion, that is the only way to make strides for the millions of women workers in this industry.’

Multi-company collective agreements (MC CBAs) are the step towards a fair garment sector. In a MC CBA, workers (unions), employers and government conclude a collective bargaining agreement that improves working conditions and production. In this way, they jointly take the step towards fair work in the garment industry.
 

Vietnam and Indonesia meanwhile show that it can be done: making agreements on fair work in the garment industry together with all social partners. 

With the support of CNV International, collective bargaining agreements are being concluded there for several companies. Meanwhile, we do this not only in the garment industry but also in other business sectors.
 

CNV Internationaal initiates, guides and stimulates processes to arrive at these multi-company collective agreements and supports the process through advice and training, for example in negotiation skills. 

Important here is the deployment of experienced trade union negotiators from the Netherlands who guide these processes and, as trainers, share their knowledge and experience with colleagues in Asia.