Decent work in global supply chains is a key agenda item for #ILC2016. Get the background here: https://t.co/YTC9dLReAu

— ILO Publications (@ILOPubs) May 30, 2016

Today marks day two of the ILO’s 2016 International Labour Conference, and the conversation is buzzing around the issue of ensuring decent work standards in global supply chains. Many organizations are calling for a binding instrument regulating supply chains and making human rights due diligence a mandatory part of doing business to which companies could be held accountable.

Why is ILC 2016 so important? Because for the first time since much of the world economy was re-organised into global supply chains, the ILO will feature a discussion about how that economy should or shouldn’t be regulated in the interests of decent work and social justice. What is discussed and decided at this year’s ILC will thus set the stage for the next year (or two) of struggle within the international labour movement and between the labour movement and representatives of the status quo.

Open Democracy's explainer on the International Labour Conference

Day 2 at #ILC2016 debate on global supply chains. Govts, employers& workers shd pave way for a binding treaty! pic.twitter.com/RTgKKmap7I

— Juliane Kippenberg (@KippenbergJ) May 31, 2016

#ILC2016 see @theICAR submission on need for int'l standard on #supplychains https://t.co/ZDrwpOsENJ https://t.co/nMtBUhxgbx

— ICAR (@theICAR) May 31, 2016

new @ituc poll shows 82% of people think companies are accountable for subcontractors https://t.co/NbWFiACKEu #ILC2016

— Cathy Feingold (@AFLCIOGlobal) May 31, 2016

1st discussions on #decentwork in global supply chains #ILC2016: together we must/can make a difference for workers! pic.twitter.com/3CEHkMdqRG

— Agathe Smyth (@AgatheSmyth) May 31, 2016

Much highlighted in today’s discussions were safeguards for workers in the garment sector. The ILO/IFC’s “Better Work” team, interviewed this afternoon by the ILO’s Sophy Fisher, discussed the positive ripple effects throughout the supply chain of ensuring decent work for employees working in the apparel sector. They took real-time questions from viewers around the world and advised listeners on how to make sure the products we buy on the high street are ethically made and sourced.

In 5 min, the @better_work team talks about working conditions in garment factories https://t.co/xVZcylUCDV #ILC2016 pic.twitter.com/H34KmJ74EU

— ILO (@ilo) May 31, 2016

African government representatives made calls for greater access to trade unions and collective bargaining mechanisms for workers throughout global value chains.

#ILC2016 African governments call for more collective bargaining in supply chains of multinational companies

— Jenny Holdcroft (@Jenny_Holdcroft) May 31, 2016

"Government is no substitute for a trade union" govt rep of Namibia #ILC2016

— Sam Nelson (@JWJSam) May 31, 2016

Employers, on the other hand, cite governance gaps as some of the biggest challenges in enforcing decent work standards throughout their supply chains.

#Employers in technical committees during the 105th Session of the International Labour Conference #ILC2016 pic.twitter.com/5DGlwlWDvc

— IOE (@ioevoice) May 31, 2016

Employer group says committee seems to agree there is a governance gap #ILC2016 #supplychain

— Sam Nelson (@JWJSam) May 31, 2016

employers say #supplychain probs are corruption, inefficient lab insp, ineffective safety & health inspectorates at nat level #ILC2016

— JJ Rosenbaum (@RosenbaumJJ) May 31, 2016

Also on the agenda today, the Committee on the Application of Standards discussed the General Survey on Migrant Workers’ Rights.

Good to see the Kafala system in #Qatar among cases to be discussed at #ILC2016 (P97/98) https://t.co/lgFQpOCQPr

— PlayFairIRL (@PlayFairIRL) May 31, 2016

Re General Survey on Migration #WorkersGroup calls for universal ratification+implementation of C97 and C143. No revisions needed! #ILC2016

— Ruwan Subasinghe (@RuwanSubasinghe) May 31, 2016

@brianfinnegan10 @AFLCIO "Recruitment rules must eliminate fees paid by workers & ensure full disclosure of terms &work conditions"#ILC2016

— Neha Misra (@Nmisra05) May 31, 2016

These discussions will continue to play out over the next two weeks, but the underlying message of this year's conference is summed up in ILO Director General, Guy Ryder's, call to the global community.

.@ilo head calls for global community to create a future of work with social justice.#ILC2016 pic.twitter.com/9U5DT925KO

— Anders A. Johnsson (@AAJohnsson) May 31, 2016

For more on the 2016 International Labour Conference as it develops, watch our dedicated conference page: http://bit.ly/1XaYo6c