Employers— driving force for better workers' rights.

As JIF, we understand that governments and lawmakers are the driving force on the way to demolishing the unfair working standards of the garment industry. However, let's recognise that employers are equally responsible for providing the right conditions for their workers even when there is no power forcing them to do so. This insightful ??article by Seshni Moodley offers us a peek into employers' responsibilities to empower workers' voices.

Encouraging employees to speak up isn't enough for the empowerment of workers' voices in the workplace...

Worker rights have been a prevalent issue in recent years due to increased exploitative employment conditions. Workers in the supply chain have been victims of unfair labour practices and unfair distribution of profits. Raising awareness of workers' rights is at the core of the solution to these exploitative employment conditions.

In broad terms, workers' voice means allowing employees to voice their ideas, concerns and perspectives authentically and without fear of social or workplace consequences [1]. IBM research has shown that it is not enough to encourage employees to speak up about topics; employers must actively solicit, analyse and engage in ongoing conversations with past, present and future employees [2]. Surveys are an efficient way to engage in these ongoing conversations. In addition, surveys allow workers to voice their concerns without workplace concerns while allowing employers to act upon the survey results.?

As a starting point, employers and lawmakers should understand the significance of providing workers with an efficient platform to voice their opinions and thoughts. From both employee and employers perspective, having a platform leads to an increase in trust, productivity and organisational improvement. In addition, elevating workers' voices makes them feel more valued by their employers and increases job satisfaction [3].

Covid-19 has been a contributory cause of unhealthy and stressful work environments, and many organisations need mechanisms to rectify this issue. Elevating workers' voices is the most suitable mechanism in many scenarios around the world. Once workers feel valued and given actionable feedback, the morale of the work environment is likely to increase.

The Million Makers initiative is a complementary mechanism to improve workers' voices. This initiative allows workers to take surveys in which they express their concerns and receive compensation for their input. The initiative went on a successful start?in India and Bangladesh. The Million Makers structure can be used as an example to increase worker voice within various industries.?

Visit Justice In Fashion website to read the full version of this article. You will find out more about worker surveys' effectiveness and real life applicability of these surveys.

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