Action groups

Action Groups reflect the thematic priorities of Alliance 8.7 and bring together organizations and initiatives working on these areas to maximize impact. Via Action Groups, partners coordinate research and advocacy and drive implementation efforts on these urgent issues. Alliance 8.7 partners are encouraged to join one or more Action Groups related to their field of expertise or focus area.

SUPPLY CHAINS

International Labour Organization (ILO)

Chair

This Action Group has been established as a central hub for governments, businesses, trade unions and others to come together in support of plans and initiatives that have global and systemic dimensions on the area of supply chains. The Action Group is split into four working groups with the aim to develop concrete inputs during each 2 year work plan:

The Working Group on Knowledge Gaps and Research
The Working Group on Capacity Building and Tools
The Working Group on Priority Countries and Supply Chains
The Working Group on Advocacy and Partnerships

Priorities

The Draft work plan for 2020-2021 has been shared among action group members. It includes the following Draft Outputs:

Outcome 1. Advance research and understanding on child labour, forced labour and human trafficking in supply chains.
Outcome 2. Support policy coherence and advocacy at different levels on child labour, forced labour and human trafficking in supply chains.
Outcome 3. Promote greater cooperation on capacity building and tools on child labour, forced labour and human trafficking in supply chains
Outcome 4. Accelerating action in key countries and supply chains

Upcoming Outputs

The Mapping of Supply Chains Initiatives on Child Labour – 2020

Progress

June, 2017 – Launch

The first strategic workshop was held in June 2017 in Berlin during which the 2018-2019 work plan, together with the modalities for implementation and key performance indicators, was established.

May, 2018 – Mapping of Supply Chains Initiatives

The Global Business Coalition Against Human Trafficking, the UN Global Compact Decent Work in Global Supply Chains Action Platform, the RESPECT Initiative founding organisations and the ILO Global Business Network on Forced Labour

June, 2018 – Launch of the Global Business Network on Forced Labour

May, 2019 – Second Global Meeting

The 2018-2019 work plan Implementation Report can be found here

November, 2019 – Launch of the Global Supply Chains report

Collaboration (between members)

CLEAR COTTON: Burkina Faso, Mali, Pakistan and Peru joined forces with the European Union (EU) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to eliminate child labour and forced labour in the cotton, textile and garment value chain.
ACCEL Africa: Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Mali, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda have launched a new partnership to accelerate the elimination of child labour in Africa with the support of the Government of Netherlands, the ILO and with active collaboration from UNICEF, FAO and civil society. The project will focus on specific supply chains, namely Cacao, Coffee, Cotton, Gold and Tea.
COTECCO: The Government of DRC together with ILO and PACT will strengthen and implement strategies to combat child labour in artisanal and small-scale mines in the cobalt supply chain under the COTECCO project funded by USDOL. Other UN agencies and civil society organizations are also involved in coordinating action on the ground.

MIGRATION

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Co-chair

UNICEF

Co-chair

This Action Group focuses on the varying dynamics of migration within or across borders, and the increased vulnerability to abuse and exploitation that migrants may face whether they are moving irregularly or through regularized channels. Within the context of migration, the focus on vulnerabilities to exploitation can extend to host and transit communities, as well as populations remaining in the point of origin such as children left behind by migrant parents. In preparation for establishing a practical work plan and strategy to be launched in 2019, the Migration Action Group is looking at the hindrances to addressing vulnerabilities of migrants to human trafficking and associated forms of abuse and exploitation, which will identify the various entry points in the migration process where interventions could be most effective. This could also highlight priority geographies, migration corridors, and/or industries on which to focus attention, as a main objective is to support country-level implementation in pursuit of achieving SDG Target 8.7. As a thematic area, migration naturally intersects with numerous other topics and this group is working closely with protection actors, employment bodies, workers’ organizations, governments, think tanks, academia, human rights experts, business networks and the private sector. Join this group to receive updates on activities and opportunities to engage.

RULE OF LAW AND GOVERNANCE

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

Chair

This Action Group provides guidance to countries to improve legal and policy frameworks, including access to justice and the right to effective remedies. It provides tools such as model laws, and supports the setting up of national level accountability institutions such as equality bodies.

CONFLICTS AND HUMANITARIAN SETTINGS

UNICEF

Chair

This Action Group focuses not just on the country or region in crisis, but also those areas where refugees or internally displaced people settle. Amongst other things, this group is improving standard prevention models using new research findings. It is also planning a study on the prevalence of forced labour and child labour in crisis contexts.