Electronics Watch 2021 Virtual Conference

 
 
Registration is now open for the 2021 Electronic Watch’s annual conference. As this is taking place virtually this year, the events have been split into bite size chunks over several days. NWUPC Ltd are an affiliate member of Electronics Watch and as such you can sign up for these free workshops.
 
Day 1. Freedom of Association, the Climate Crisis, and Modern Slavery
Tuesday November 30, 9am to 10.30am UK time. REGISTER
What is the connection between the freedom of association, the climate crisis, and modern slavery? Is it possible to solve the climate crisis or end modern slavery when workers cannot exercise their fundamental rights to organize and bargain collectively? Join us for an illuminating discussion with trade unionists, Electronics Watch monitoring partners and academic researchers.EW invite participants to stay online for an extra 30 minutes of Q&A and informal discussion with the speakers.
 
Day 2. What is Freedom of Association?  Why are most workers in the electronics industry not free to organise?
Wednesday December 1, 9am to 10.30am UK time. REGISTER
Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are two of the most important worker rights. But what exactly should a company do or not do to respect those rights? Why can so few workers in the electronics industry freely exercise these rights? This session will offer insights from regions that present special challenges to the freedom of association, including both manufacturing and mining regions.EW invite participants to stay online for an extra 30 minutes of Q&A and informal discussion with the speakers.
 
Day 3. How to Verify Freedom of Association in the Public Procurement Process
Thursday December 2, 9am to 10.30am UK time. REGISTER
Unions commonly report severe obstacles for workers who seek to organize or join unions and low unionization rates in the electronics industry. Companies, by contrast, rarely report on non-compliances with the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining in their supply chains. Where does this leave public buyers? How can they verify if these rights are in fact upheld in their supply chains? In this session, we will explore verification options for independent monitors and verification standards for public buyers. We will also learn from public buyers’ practical experiences to promote a meaningful voice for workers in their supply chains.EW invite participants to stay online for an extra 30 minutes of Q&A and informal discussion with the speakers
 
Day 4. How to Remedy Violations of Freedom of Association
Friday December 3, 9am to 10.30am UK time. REGISTER
When the freedom of association and right to collective bargaining is violated in public buyer supply chains, what is the path to remedy? What is the role of the public buyers, the private sector buyers, the factory, and the union? In this session we will learn about remedy from trade unionists who will discuss three successful electronics industry cases in Indonesia, the Philippines and Czechia. We will then discuss how public administrations can build support for those types of remedies and how they can be addressed in practical terms in the public procurement process.EW invite participants to stay online for an extra 30 minutes of Q&A and informal discussion with the speakers.