economic and labour rights
The economic and labour rights of Central American women are central concerns in our work. Over the years, CAWN has supported two projects focussing on the rights of women workers in the Maquila, written and published articles and research on labour issues, and hosted numerous UK and European speaker tours with Central American partners joining CAWN to share their experiences.
ongoing work
key accomplishments
publications
useful links
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ongoing work surrounding labour and economic rights
DFID Labour Standards and Poverty Reduction Forum
CAWN was a member of this Forum and participated in regular consultation meetings and seminars with NGOs and other stakeholders to discuss DFID policy and actions on labour rights issues. This Forum was wound up in 2009 and a new space created for influencing government and dialogue between trade unions, NGOs, academics and others interested in the issues of labour rights.
Decent Work & Labour Standards Forum
CAWN is member of a new independent Forum that was set up in 2009 and hosted by the TUC. It brings together ‘decent work stakeholders’ in the UK, (including NGOs, trade unions, business and other organisations), to influence and assist the UK government to strengthen its efforts in contributing towards the achievement of decent work and the alleviation of poverty for working people in the global south. Through a range of activities the Forum will allow stakeholders to learn, share and debate ideas, and to access, influence and assist the UK government on decent work. www.decentwork.org.uk/
Coalition of Women and Labour Rights
CAWN is involved in discussions with a number of other women’s and/or labour rights organisations around the establishment of a loose coalition whose primary purpose would be to raise awareness of labour rights issues from a gender perspective and exert pressure on policy. This work is still underway.
The living wage and women garment workers
CAWN has been involved with Labour Behind the Label and Women Working Worldwide (WWW) in developing action research to look at the impact of increased productivity on women workers in the garment industry. The research was presented at a seminar on productivity hosted by ActionAid in November 2009.
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key accomplishments around economic and labour rights
maquila projects
ethical trading initiative
women’s economic literacy in Nicaragua
speaker tours
Maquila Project: CAWN has coordinated two projects linked to the Maquila in Nicaragua and other countries in the Central America region. Both projects aimed to collect and disseminate information about the situation of women workers in the maquila sector in Central America, to make links between women workers in Britain, Europe and Central America and to exchange views and information about organisational strategies developed by women. In both cases, CAWN's partner was MEC, a dynamic, highly innovative and effective Nicaraguan’s women’s organisation that has a long and successful history of working with women working in the maquila (export-oriented assembly factories, usually located within Free Trade Zones and employing cheap, mainly female, labour). A key outcome of both projects was the strengthening of MEC’s work. In addition, CAWN facilitated the participation of MEC in an Asia-Latin America Exchange programme, which brought together representatives of women’s groups and trade unions across both continents to compare organisational strategies and assess their experiences in trying to raise awareness of and implement Corporate Codes of Conduct as a means of improving worker conditions in the factories. If you would like to find out more about this work, contact: info@cawn.org.uk.
Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI): CAWN was actively involved in the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) between 1998-2008, and was one of its founding members. ETI was established as a tri-partite alliance of companies, NGOs and trade union organisations with the shared aim of improving “the lives of poor working people around the world.” CAWN consistently sought to and succeeded in providing opportunities for ETI members to meet workers in the south and to hear from them first-hand about their working conditions. As Coordinator of the Gender Working Group, within the NGO Caucus, CAWN promoted a gender focus and understanding with respect to all areas of ETI’s work. In 2004, despite being very small in terms of staff and resources, CAWN was invited to join the ETI Board. Unfortunately, CAWN is no longer a member of ETI.
“On behalf of the ETI Board I would like to acknowledge the very strong contribution that CAWN made to the work of the ETI since 1998. Despite very limited resources, your former colleagues contributed tremendous expertise of issues faced by women workers in the Central America to many of ETI’s working groups…” Alan Roberts, ETI Chair, December 7, 2009
Women’s Economic Literacy in Nicaragua: CAWN collaborated with The Maria Elena Cuadra Women’s Movement (MEC) between 2005-2008 on a project that sought to build women’s micro and macro economic literacy. One of the project’s greatest successes was the empowerment it created in thousands of women through challenging stereotypes that economy based decisions are limited to men. The project led to women’s increased participation in advocacy at a local, national and international level on issues relating to the economy. To read more about the project click here.
Speaker tours: Since 2000, CAWN has organised and hosted numerous speaking tours facilitated by women leaders from our Central American partnerships. The last speaker tour was in March 2008. CAWN invited two colleagues, Sandra Ramos and Gladys Urtecho, from the MEC to London to share experiences with civil society in Europe, and to influence policy makers whose decisions impact on the lives of women in Nicaragua.
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CAWN publications on economic and labour rights
New!: Briefing Paper: February 2010
Social Reproduction and Labour Rights: a case study of women workers in Nicaragua
Briefing Paper: December 2008
Gender, Labour Rights and the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI)
Briefing Paper: October 2008
Economic Literacy- a tool for women’s empowerment in Nicaragua
Briefing Paper: March 2008
The Association Agreement between the European Union and Central America: its potential impact on women's lives in Central America.
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CAWN Position Paper: June 2008
Gender Equality & Trade Liberalization
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CAWN Newsletter, no. 19, Spring 2005
Cristina Manfre: Women, the State and Labour Rights Activism: the Role of Women’s Organisations in Improving Labour Standards in Improving Labour Standards in Nicaragua
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A-Genda: Click here to access A-Genda archives, bulletin on gender and trade issues in Central America
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Corporate Responsibility and Labour Rights: Codes of Conduct in the Global Economy, Earthscan publications, Ltd. 2002l Edited by Rhys Jenkins, Ruth Pearson and Gill Seyfang. CAWN contributed a Chapter called: ‘The potential of Codes as part of Women’s Organisations’ Strategies for Promoting the Rights of Women Workers.’
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Campaign for Labour Rights
Clean Clothes Campaign
Ethical Trading Initiative
International Labour Organisation
Labour Behind the Label
Low Pay Unit
Maquila Solidarity Network
NEAD – Norfolk Education and Action for Development
Scottish Low Pay Commission
Women Working Worldwide
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