An exchange of good examples of cooperation in multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs) facilitated by States to promote respect for human rights inspired many participants at the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva on November 27.
The TruStone Initiative is gaining momentum. At the kick-off event to mark the official start of the implementation phase, practical cases were presented to help the participants with implementing their International RBC policy. In addition, the City of Amsterdam was welcomed as a new participating member.
Organisation sociologist Maurits Derksen has been apppointed chairman of the International RBC Agreement for the Metals Sector. His appointment was officially confirmed by the Agreement parties last week.
Several companies participating in the Dutch Agreement on Sustainable Garments and Textile have signed a Transparency Pledge. In doing so, companies commit to disclose the locations of their production sites, what type of garments are manufactured there, and how many people work at these sites.
Progress has been made with scaling up responsible sourcing efforts in the metals sector internationally. During the LME-week in London, the International Responsible Business Conduct Agreement for the Metals Sector engaged with a broad delegation of international stakeholders in de sector.
Dutch supermarkets have joined forces to ensure a living wage for banana workers in the international production chain. The partnering retailers aim is to reduce the gap between the currently paid wages and the living wage for their entire banana assortment by at least 75% within five years.
The Monitoring Committee of the Dutch Pension Funds Agreement on Responsible Investment has issued a report indicating the results of the baseline assessment, i.e. the state of affairs at the start of the Agreement. The Steering Committee has responded by publishing an ‘Appreciation’ addressing the recommendations set out in the report.
In its annual report 2018-2019 the Agreement for International Responsible Investment in the Insurance Sector, looks back on the first year of the agreement and on the initial findings and recommendations of the monitoring committee.
The multi-stakeholder TruStone Initiative entered into force on October the 1st. The parties have also appointed an independent chairperson for the implementation of the Agreement. This is the next phase of the Netherlands and Flanders collaboration on international responsible business conduct (international RBC) in the natural stone sector.
The AGT pays significant attention to purchasing practices of signatory companies. Industry-wide sustainable purchasing practices should enable suppliers to make progress towards paying workers a living wage.
