Co-op Sound Sourcing - Freedom to Associate Code

Co-op Code for Freedom of Association

The Co-operative Group (CWS) Limited will encourage its suppliers to respect their employees' rights of freedom of association and collective bargaining and their rights to join or form trades unions of their own choosing.

Where such activities are restricted by law the Co-operative Group (CWS) Limited shall attempt to encourage its suppliers to facilitate such equivalent mechanisms of free association and negotiation as are permitted by the legal framework.

The Co-operative Group (CWS) Limited expects its suppliers to ensure that appointed worker representatives are not subject to discrimination and have reasonable access to those workers who they represent within the workplace.

AGM meeting Kenya

Cocoa Growers AGM

There are 42 unions in Kenya representing approximately 600 thousand workers, approximately one- third of the country's formal- sector work force. All but 5 of these unions, representing approximately 300 thousand workers, were affiliated with the 1 approved national federation the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU).
Source: US Department of State Human Rights Report 2005

Trade unions can help by:

improving communication between employees and managers so that employees can understand and be committed to the organisation's objectives

negotiating improvements to pay and working conditions so that people feel more satisfaction at work and stay longer in their jobs.

encouraging companies to invest in training and development so that employees have the skills necessary for improved products and services

acting as a positive force for change - by winning employees' support to the introduction of new technologies and work organisation.

Follow Freedom of Association & Collective Bargaining