Documents Barrientos, Stephanie 3 results

"A key challenge in promoting decent work worldwide is how to improve the position of both firms and workers in value chains and global production networks driven by lead firms. This article develops a framework for analysing the linkages between the economic upgrading of firms and the social upgrading of workers. Drawing on studies which indicate that firm upgrading does not necessarily lead to improvements for workers, with a particular focus on the Moroccan garment industry, it outlines different trajectories and scenarios to provide a better understanding of the relationship between economic and social upgrading."

"Introducing this Special Feature of the International Labour Review on “Decent work in global production networks” (GPNs), this article reviews the research challenges posed by GPNs, which are changing the structure of trade, production and employment in today's globalized economy. The authors define the concepts of social and economic upgrading/downgrading that are used in the following contributions to investigate the effects of GPNs. They conclude with a discussion of the initiatives that governments and non-state actors have taken to address the “global governance deficit” and consequent decent work deficits that have emerged with the expansion of GPNs."

"Private governance channelled through social compliance programmes and gender initiatives of multinational companies have had limited impact in tackling gender discrimination in global value chains (GVCs). The United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) provide a public–private governance framework to address human rights globally, including gender equality. This article considers whether the UNGPs can provide a more effective governance framework for addressing women workers' rights in GVCs. It argues that interlayered forms of governance (involving public, private and social actors) are critical in addressing gender discrimination in GVCs and advancing a gendered approach to human rights due diligence."