Crisis Shows Integration of Labour Rights Issues in Company Strategies is a Must

Caucasus Business Week talked with Sopho Khuchua, Labor Rights Expert at CiDA/Global Compact Network Georgia.

Sopho, you are heading labour rights issues at your organization which is mainly working with companies; tell us more, what kind of support does your organization offer to the companies ?

Global Compact  Network Georgia has been indeed actively cooperating with the business sector for many years. We constantly offer thematic and practical assistance to the member companies of this Network in order to develop the highest standards to protect labor rights. With our help, companies can successfully:

• integrate labor rights issues in the plans and strategic documents of the company;
• advocate for changes in the law, promote the implementation of legislation;
• identify and implement the standards set by the International Labor Organization;
• review internal labor rights policies, assess the situation and implement appropriate policies/practices in accordance with international standards.

Today circumstances have made clear to us that to deal with problems emanating from the crisis is much easier for companies that stand out for their high quality corporate responsibility and have contributed with our support to implement sustainable development goals [in their own companies] over the years.  

What does ILO say about labour rights issue in Georgia; is there any research which answers our gaps in this issue?

The International Labor Organization is monitoring the negative impact of the novel coronavirus on the global world of work. The organization recommends the business sector to comply with the basic provisions of the ILO and call us to take urgent, large-scale, and coordinated measures in the following three areas: protecting workers, stimulating the economy and employment, and keeping jobs and maintaining incomes. Besides, the ILO has developed a questionnaire, which is a tool for managing the implementation of the practical measures to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the workplace. The ILO has not conducted any specific research on Georgia or labor rights problems encountered in Georgia, however, the ILO's general recommendations certainly deserve the attention of representatives of the Georgian business sector as well.

World pandemic has caused a lot of problems including unemployment. Number of businesses have just stopped their operations and employees are left without jobs. What can employees do in this case; how companies should respond to this crisis and protect their [workers] rights.

The spread of the COVID-19 has primarily led to the mass dismissal of employees not only in Georgia but throughout the entire world. By the decision of the Government of Georgia, a part of companies have directly limited their main economic activities, which had a straight negative impact on the workers. Employers have recourse to an alternative method, such as forcing employees to take unpaid leave. On the one hand, companies must ensure the most safe working environment for the health and life of an employee, and also, in any case, an employer must show high corporate responsibility and try to agree with an employee on changing the terms and conditions of labor relations so that the termination of employment does not become necessary. If negotiations with an employee are not possible, the labor relations can be terminated only in accordance with the terms of the Labor Code.

Your organization represents Global Compact local network in Georgia, world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative; what are their recommendations to the companies in terms of protecting labour rights?

A special Appeal from the United Nations (UN) Global Compact to business representatives has been circulated to address the crisis caused by the pandemic. It is recommended in the Appeal, that business representatives show flexibility, empathy, and solidarity to employees and business partners, especially with the small and medium enterprises. Despite flexible working conditions, businesses need to continue to consistently pay a salary and provide other services, especially to female workers, who often take on the role of caretaker / guardian. It is also important to keep current labor contracts as secure as possible.

What would be your recommendations to the businesses in order to create/show a good practice of corporate responsibility in the time of COVID-19?

First of all, I would recommend creating the most safe environment for the health and life of employees. Employees should be provided with hygiene  means to help them protect themselves and others from the virus. At the same time, the new working conditions should be created and working from home allowed, if the type of performed work provides such an opportunity. In this regard, it is preferable to agree with the employees themselves and modify their working conditions. If it becomes impossible to carry out economic activities and/or some other circumstances are revealed that make it necessary to dismiss an employee, in this case, the employer must comply with the rules of notification in accordance with the national legislation and provide relevant compensation to the employee.

This article has been published within the Swedish Government funded project "Leadership for SDG in Georgia".