Attending the 9th Regulating for Decent Work Conference at the ILO office in Geneva was the perfect opportunity to (re-)connect with labour experts and learn about the latest trends and discussions in the field. Over the course of three days, researchers and experts from over 50 countries debated on employment, worker voice, institutions and regulations in discussions, roundtables and plenaries, all under the overarching theme of ‘Strengthening labour institutions and worker voice to deliver decent employment’.
Key questions that Naturland’s social department deals with are for example: How should Syrian refugees working in agriculture in Turkey without formal contracts be treated? What basic protective measures are required for harvesting coconuts from trees, given that culture and tradition have their own rules? Might these traditions be superior to standardized mechanisms?
Naturland considers it highly relevant to connect, exchange, and consult with labour experts with different geographical backgrounds and specific expertise when answering these questions, e.g. in spaces like the ILO Regulation for Decent Work Conference. Understanding local contexts enables Naturland to find case-specific solutions while maintaining the integrity of the standards and its baseline: application of national labour law and ILO labour standards.
According to the ILO Report "World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025", informality remains high globally. This is illustrated by the fact that over half of the world’s workforce lacks social security arrangements, legal protection, or workplace safety measures. Formalization therefore is an integral part of Naturland’s social standards. Other topics discussed at the conference included migrant casual workers, gender and non-discriminatory policies, the impact of climate change on labour conditions, and the influence of workers’ unions. The knowledge around these discussions enables us to keep the social standard updated, relevant and practical without compromising its high impact.
Ann-Kristin Schmidt is expert for social responsibility at Naturland. She supports partners around the world in implementing decent working conditions throughout the agricultural supply chain. She also develops training and communication materials and activities to strengthen knowledge and awareness of Naturland’s social standard.
Thomas Beutler is expert for social responsibility at Naturland. He supports partners around the world in implementing decent working conditions along the agricultural supply chain. He also promotes Naturland's networking with international labour rights experts such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and other organisations.