Staworzynska Leads Negotiations on Digitalization in Retail at the ILO

Last week, the International Labor Organization (ILO) convened a sectoral meeting on “Digitalization in the Retail Sector as an Engine for Economic Recovery and Decent Work.” The meeting brought together experts from around the world to discuss the rapid transformations in the retail sector and how to harness the potential of digitalization to advance post-pandemic recovery and decent work globally. The week-long meeting in Geneva resulted in a set of Conclusions, adopted by consensus.

USCIB Director of Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs Ewa Staworzynska served as the spokesperson on behalf of the Employers Group, representing business from all regions.

“Digitalization in the retail sector has brought new innovations and technologies and allowed for new jobs to be created,” said Staworzynska. “Digitalization is also facilitating formalization of work, which is important since many of the 420 million people employed in retail operate in the informal sector. Digitalization truly is a catalyst for economic growth and decent work,” she said.

According to Staworzynska, the negotiations were between employers, workers and government delegates, in line with the tripartite structure of the ILO. Several USCIB member companies were present as advisors to the employer delegation.

As a follow-up to the sectoral meeting, the ILO has been asked to continue promoting ratification of ILO instruments and providing technical assistance to Member States. The ILO was also asked to build capacities of its tripartite constituents to develop strategies for greater investment in digital technologies for enterprises and for the promotion of skills development programs, among others. They are also expected to share good practices and collect data on social inclusion and how harnessing digitalization can advance formalization and social dialogue in the sector.

USCIB Leads Business Delegation and Engages in High-Level Discussions at 2023 WTO Public Forum

USCIB’s Alice Slayton Clark with WTO’s Angela Ellard and USCIB members at the 2023 WTO Public Forum

USCIB was in Geneva last week for the 2023 World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum alongside member companies and industry associations. The USCIB delegation advocated for member priorities, such as a high-level outcome and successful conclusion of the JSI on E-Commerce, a permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, opposition to a waiver extension for COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics, a third round of negotiations to liberalize tariffs in information techonology products (ITA-3), and elimination of tariff and non-tariff measures on environmental goods and services.  

USCIB Vice President for International Investment and Trade Policy Alice Slayton Clark and Policy and Program Assistant Ashley Harrington led the USCIB delegation, facilitating meetings with WTO officials including WTO Deputy Director General Angela Ellard, Director of the WTO Trade and Environment Division Hoe Lim, issue experts from the U.S. Mission to the WTO and trade officials at the International Organization of Employers (IOE)Members immersed in detailed exchanges on the aforementioend concerns and also explored areas for industry inputs on circularity, environmental goods, climate mitigation, and plastics as part of the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD). 

L-R: Ashley Harrington and Alice Slayton Clark

Clark and Harrington activeily pariticipated in multi-association meetings with WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on WTO reform and key issues being advanced as deliverables for the 13th Ministerial Conference (MC13) in February 2024, as well as with ambassadors from Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore on semiconductor and digital technology concerns. Collaborations culminated in a joint U.S. industry reception at the WTO where scores of officials from WTO missions, policy experts and member companies gathered for an evening of networking and fun. 

Another treat for USCIB members in Geneva was the semi-annual meeting of the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) Trade and Investment Policy Commission, where they were briefed by myriad WTO ambassadors and officials on the outlook for MC13 and interacted with the various ICC national committee representatives from around the globe. This all occured amid the backdrop of the WTO Public Forum, showcasing 134 panel discussion on how trade can contribute to a greener and more sustainable future.   

“USCIB delivered excellent engagement opportunities during these meetings, advocating positions and discussing creative solutions for the top concerns of our members,” said Clark. “We remain a determined voice for business and industry at the WTO and will continue to highlight policy issues that are important to our members and advance industry’s positions in multilateral discussions.” 

USCIB’s Staworzynska to Chair IOE Group on Human Rights & Responsible Business Conduct

The International Organization of Employers (IOE) has just approved the nomination of USCIB Director for Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs, Ewa Staworzynska, as the new chair of the IOE Policy Working Group on Human Rights and Responsible Business Conduct (RBC).

“IOE’s Policy Working Group on Human Rights and RBC offers IOE members and corporate partners a space to discuss national and international policy developments, share businesses’ contributions to human rights and RBC policy matters, and collectively engage at the global policy stage,” said Staworzynska.

As the representative of employers at the ILO, and as the representative of business on social and employment policy issues in other multilateral fora, the IOE provides a vital business perspective to the many activities and initiatives that seek to advance the Business and Human Rights and Responsible Business Conduct agenda. IOE advocates on behalf of business for reasonable, realistic and workable solutions to the world’s myriad socio-economic challenges.

“Human rights and RBC is a priority for USCIB members,” added Staworzynska. “American companies’ are deeply committed to RBC and strongly value international policy engagements on these issues.”

USCIB Recognizes World Day Against Trafficking and Stands Firm With Global Community to Eradicate Trafficking

New York, N.Y., July 31, 2023—The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) supports the global community in recognizing World Day Against Trafficking in Persons and emphasizes that trafficking in all forms is unacceptable. The U.S. business community continues to help combat trafficking globally.

Held annually on July 30, this day commemorates the victims of trafficking and provides survivors with an opportunity to make their voices heard. USCIB is proud of the work that our members have done, and continue to do, to prevent and end trafficking throughout their global supply chains.

USCIB also welcomes the recent release of the State Department’s Report, 2023 Trafficking in Persons, which raises further awareness of human trafficking and highlights the fight against it on a global level. The report calls for global partnerships between government, business and civil society to share resources and information and to leverage technology to better address the nexus between finance and human trafficking.

As both the report and global trafficking studies conclude, this issue’s scale remains vast: every year, tens of millions of people are exploited.

USCIB looks forward to working with the State Department and other government agencies, civil society and partners to eradicate all forms of human trafficking.

Together with our members and our global affiliates, such as the International Organization of Employers (IOE), the representative of employers at the ILO, we will continue to bring forward private sector solutions and resources to combat trafficking in all its forms.

About USCIB: The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) advances the global interests of American business. We do so through advocacy for an open system of world trade, finance, and investment, where business can flourish and contribute to economic growth, human welfare, and environmental protection.  We play a leading role in informing the negotiation and adoption of international labor standards, and in human rights, labor, and environmental   policy deliberations at the United Nations, OECD, and ILO, as the sole U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Business at OECD (BIAC) and the International Organization of Employers (IOE). In addition, USCIB is the only U.S. business organization with standing at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and is recognized at the UN Environment Program (UNEP), UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD).

 

ILO Adopts New International Labor Standard on Apprenticeships

Photo credit: Akustina Morni (IOE) Top, L-R: Luis Claudino de Oliveira (Chairperson), Amanda Brown (Vice Chairperson, Workers), Blaise Matthey (Vice Chairperson, Employers)
Bottom, L-R: Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri (President of the Conference), Gilbert Houngbo (ILO Director General)

New York, N.Y., June 16, 2023—The International Labor Organization (ILO) has adopted a new international labor standard, in the form of a recommendation, on apprenticeships, according to USCIB Director for Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs Ewa Staworzynska.

Staworzynska is currently on the ground in Geneva representing U.S. employers at the 111th annual International Labor Conference (ILC). USCIB is the U.S. national committee of the International Organization of Employers (IOE).

The Standard-Setting Committee on Apprenticeships is a two-year process.  This is the second year of the Standard-Setting Committee. USCIB has participated in both years partnering and collaborating with the IOE to ensure that business needs and realities are reflected in the text.

We had great success in reaching a balanced approach, with special emphasis on the promotion of quality apprenticeships.

Photo credit: Akustina Morni (IOE)
L-R: Ryan Larsen (Walmart & USCIB CRLA Vice Chair), Sarah Morgan (U.S. Department of Labor), Thea Lee (U.S. Department of Labor), Adam Lee (U.S. Department of Labor)

USCIB was represented by Ryan Larsen, senior director for International Labor Relations at Walmart and vice-chair of the USCIB Corporate Responsibility and Labor Affairs Committee (CRLA), taking part in the U.S. Employers delegation. Larsen participated throughout the Standard-Setting process.

In his remarks at the Plenary, where the draft text was submitted to the Conference for adoption, he noted that, “In this unique tri-partite system, we have developed a strategy, program, and approach to continually enhance Apprenticeships, ensuring that they provide workers with the necessary skills to attain full, productive and freely chosen employment. Additionally, we have emphasized the importance of lifelong learning opportunities; promoting continuous skilling, reskilling and upskilling, which in turn contributes to the promotion of decent work and full employment.”

Larsen added that, “The promotion and development of quality apprenticeships not only lead to decent work but also provide effective responses to the challenges of the ever-changing world of work. These apprenticeships offer lifelong learning opportunities, enhancing productivity, resilience, transitions and employability.”

“USCIB has often advocated the critical role of quality apprenticeships,” said Staworzynska. “Quality apprenticeships support the development of business-ready skills, help realize the goals of inclusive economic growth and can advance the transition to the formal economy.” This new ILO standard provides non-binding guidelines for Member States to ensure quality apprenticeships.

According to the ILO, a glance around the world shows that an increasing number of countries are focusing on the development or improvement of apprenticeship systems and programs to address the challenges of changing labor market trends and the need for workers to retrain and upskill.

The ILC is currently taking place in Geneva June 5-16. Delegates from the ILO’s 187 Member States along with employers and workers have gathered to tackle a wide range of issues. In addition to apprenticeships, delegates have discussed a just transition towards sustainable and inclusive economies as well as labor protection.

About USCIB: The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) advances the global interests of American business. We do so through advocacy for an open system of world trade, finance, and investment, where business can flourish and contribute to economic growth, human welfare, and environmental protection.  We play a leading role in informing the negotiation and adoption of international labor standards, and in human rights, labor, and environmental   policy deliberations at the United Nations, OECD, and ILO, as the sole U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Business at OECD (BIAC) and the International Organization of Employers (IOE). In addition, USCIB is the only U.S. business organization with standing at the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and is recognized at the UN Environment Program (UNEP), UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD).

At UN STI Forum, USCIB and IOE Deliver Side-Event on Innovation Solutions in Africa 

Top left to right: Norine Kennedy (USCIB), Edward Obiko (Microsave), Megan O’Neill (Microsoft) Bottom left to right: Dr. Cosma Zavazava (ITU), Inhee Chung (Samsung), Jehiel Oliver (CEO, Hello Tractor)

On the occasion of the UN Science, Technology and Innovation in Africa Day, USCIB co-organized with the International Organization of Employers (IOE) an official virtual side event, Catalytic Private Sector Innovation Solutions in Africa. The side event focused on technology and innovation partnerships as catalysts to advance the sustainable and resilient graduation of Least Developed Countries (LDCs), most of which are located in Africa. The event preceded the eighth UN Science, Technology and Innovation Forum (STIF) in New York, a key meeting preparing for the UN SDG Summit in September. 

“Driving meaningful change in Africa will depend on sustained engagement by local business communities working with global business partners across all sectors,” said USCIB Senior Vice President for Policy and Global Strategy Norine Kennedy. “This catalytic dynamic is key to deploying the science-based solutions that underpin SDGs and Our Common Agenda (OCA) implementation.” 

The event focused on ensuring that business is part of the conversation relating to the science-policy interface, to listen, to learn and engage with stakeholders towards collective bottom-up actions that are needed for the implementation and integration of solutions that have real impact on the ground. 

Dr. Cosmas Zavazava, director of the Telecommunication Development Bureau at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), gave keynote remarks. Zavazava called for a new era of partnerships. ITU is partnering with businesses on the ground in Africa and globally through programs such as the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Alliance for Digital Development, Partner2Connect Digital Coalition, and Giga Global—a joint global initiative by ITU and UNICEF that aims to connect every school to the Internet and every young person to information, opportunity and choice.  

“Public private partnerships are essential to drive digital innovation, build human capacity and deliver much-needed infrastructure to connect the unconnected,” said Zavazava.  

Participants also heard from a panel of experts, which included Shea Gopaul, IOE special representative to the UN, Hasna Barkat Daoud (Employers Federation of Djibouti), Megan O’Neill from USCIB member Microsoft, Jehiel Oliver, CEO at Hello Tractor, Edward Obiko (Microsave) and Inhee Chung (Samsung).  

Over 40 participants tuned into the meeting from across the globe, ranging from countries such as Belgium, Djibouti, Egypt, Ghana, India, Kenya, Nigeria, South Korea, Turkey and the United States.  

USCIB Team Hosts MTN Roundtable on Solidarity in Doha During LDC5 

USCIB was on the ground in Doha for the 5th United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries (LDC5) and to participate in the LDC5 Private Sector Forum (PSF).  USCIB’s Moving the Needle (MTN) Initiative organized a March 8 LDC5 side event in the form of a roundtable on the private sector’s role for solidarity solutions, in partnership with the International Organization of Employers (IOE). 

LDC5, held from March 5-9, focused on accelerating the graduation of LDCs out of the LDC category of the world’s poorest countries. The forty-six LDC countries account for 13% of the world population but only 1.3% of global GDP and less than 1% of global trade and foreign direct investment (FDI).   

The LDC5 Private Sector Forum, co-organized by the United Nations with Microsoft and a business advisory group, emphasized actions and partnerships for LDCs to support the delivery of the new Doha Program of Action and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Forum highlighted important sectors for LDCs, such as agriculture, energy, connectivity and finance and the need to create enabling environments for LDCs to benefit from trade, investment and capacity building. 

USCIB Board Member Chris Sharrock, Microsoft vice president for UN Affairs and International Organizations, opened the MTN Roundtable, stating that “Business plays a key role in delivering inclusive growth, creating opportunities and sustainable development around the world, especially for the 880 million people living across the LDCs.”  He went on to emphasize the necessity of partnerships that are effective, tailored to local needs and goals and that mobilize private sector knowledge and tools.   

The MTN Roundtable featured speakers from USAID, the International Labor Organization (ILO), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and UNIDO, as well as leading IOE employers federation representatives from the DRC, Mali and Zambia.  

USCIB Senior Vice President for Policy and Global Strategy Norine Kennedy, Policy Manager for Environment and Sustainable Development Agnes Vinblad and USCIB MTN Initiative consultant Lea Felluss were in Doha to advance U.S. business views and contributions to the sustainable and resilient graduation of LDCs as essential to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  

According to Kennedy, “Simply put, solidarity means we cannot deliver the SDGs while leaving the LDCs behind.” 

USCIB Urges More Business Engagement in UN to Address Human Rights Gaps

USCIB members discussed issues related to business and human rights with representatives of the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the U.S. Ambassador to the Human Rights Council at the 11th United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights. This year’s Forum was held in Geneva during the week of November 28 and focused on the topic, Rights Holders at the Center: Strengthening Accountability to Advance Business Respect for People and Planet in the Next Decade.

The Forum provided a platform for historically underrepresented groups to voice their concerns and for business to reiterate its commitment for advancing human rights. However according to USCIB Policy Associate Jose Arroyo, business representation during the formal sessions was unfortunately limited, making the side events and extra meetings, which were organized by USCIB and the International Organization of Employers (IOE), all the more important.

“USCIB and IOE expressed to the UN Working Group the need to engage business in the discussions and highlighted our common goals to address informality, close the gap between labor practice and labor law and encourage more decisive action from States in enforcing existing regulations,” said Arroyo.

“While notable discussions were held during the Forum, the absence of a business perspective across several panels was palpable,” added Arroyo. This message, as well as the fact that business should be regarded as a partner in the promotion and protection of human rights on the ground, was conveyed directly to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a private meeting organized by IOE.

“In our messaging to the High Commissioner, the business community clearly expressed our common goal to promote the Human Rights approach and reiterated our strong commitment to do the right thing,” concluded Arroyo.

In the USCIB-organized meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to the Human Rights Council, members had the opportunity to discuss their concerns regarding the draft UN Binding Treaty on Business and Human Rights and upcoming legislation in Europe, as well as to describe their due diligence efforts in the context of the UN Guiding Principles.

USCIB Statement on Climate COP Outcomes and US Business

New York, N.Y., November 28, 2022—The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) sought an “Implementation Plus” approach in the outcomes of the recently concluded 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) in Sharm El Sheikh, in which the international community would realize progress in advancing food and energy security alongside climate action and mobilization of resources.

As a dedicated representative of U.S. business in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), USCIB understands and supports the urgency of tackling climate change, and was concerned that economic and geopolitical challenges could hamper or even prevent a successful outcome of this important meeting.

Despite those headwinds, government delegates were able to conclude with progress in key areas, such as loss and damage, the role of agriculture and the need to advance a just energy transition. However, we were disappointed by the absence of any meaningful reference to the actions taken by and the role of business in the Sharm El Sheikh outcomes.

Attending its 27th COP, USCIB noted an unprecedented showing by its members from every sector of the American economy, on hand to offer solutions and support a successful outcome. In addition, USCIB joined the global business community in speaking out for political will and ambitious action at COP27. Throughout the COP, USCIB welcomed the opportunity to cooperate with the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and the Major Economies Business Forum (BizMEF). We were especially proud to have the Federation of Egyptian Industries (FEI) join BizMEF.

USCIB attended COP27 looking forward to further encouragement and support for pro-active business action, building on pledges made last year by business at the Glasgow meeting.

Throughout COP27, the U.S. private sector demonstrated its actions to mobilize markets and investment in the areas of mitigation, adaptation and support for vulnerable countries and populations that face impacts of climate change. While initiatives, such as the Report of the High-Level Expert Group on the Net Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities (UN HLEG), will provide additional thoughts on how such efforts can be strengthened, further work is needed to analyze the fuller implications of the 40 recommendations to drive meaningful, practical progress. USCIB is concerned that overly prescriptive approaches to voluntary pledges and allegations of  “greenwashing” could discourage and hamper further voluntary steps on climate action and finance.

Although COP27 left much still to be done to address the risks and impacts of climate change, USCIB looks to COP28 with resolve and renewed purpose. Without businesses of every sector participating in these vital deliberations, the international community will not be able to fully harness the drive, capability and commitment of business to advance the Paris Agreement.

Across the multilateral system, USCIB will continue to champion a confluence of common interests through practical and inclusive multilateralism. USCIB will forcefully and consistently make the case for catalyzing business knowhow, experience and partnership for innovation, as well as investment and job creation as we move ahead together to deliver on the promises of the UNFCCC and its Paris Agreement.

About USCIB: USCIB promotes open markets, competitiveness and innovation, sustainable development, and corporate responsibility, supported by international engagement and regulatory coherence. Its members include U.S.-based global companies and professional services firms from every sector of our economy, with operations in every region of the world. USCIB is the U.S. affiliate of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and Business at OECD (BIAC). More at www.uscib.org.

USCIB Outlines Priorities for UN Climate Meetings (COP27) in Letter to US Government

USCIB policy experts are now at the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. In advance of COP27, USCIB sent a letter on behalf of USCIB President and CEO Peter Robinson to Special Presidential Envoy for Climate Change John Kerry, setting out USCIB members priorities for COP27. The letter can be downloaded here, or viewed directly below.

Dear Special Presidential Envoy Kerry:

Addressing the multiple challenges of climate change in all their complexity, alongside advancing food and energy security, are interconnected imperatives. The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) welcomes the Administration’s leadership as it has engaged with the international community for ambition and progress on these linked issues en route to the 27th Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP27) in Sharm El-Sheikh next week.

As Administration officials have emphasized, COP27 is a chance to focus on “Implementation Plus”– win-win opportunities to incent investment and create jobs for shared climate -friendly prosperity, not just from governments but across society. Implementation Plus approaches should catalyze innovation and trade to deploy U.S. private sector technology and partnerships on mitigation and adaptation. Implementation Plus oriented COP outcomes should encourage synergies between climate and nature protection agendas and actions. And those outcomes should recognize and mainstream supporting frameworks for voluntary pledges from business and other non-state actors.

In particular, USCIB members look for progress at COP27 in the following areas:

  • Just transition for workers, society, and employers: Further discussions of just transition should reflect the fundamental role of social dialogue, and recognize the impacts and opportunities for workers, societies, and employers. In this regard, representative employers’ federations are essential to sound climate change and just transition policy and its implementation.
  • Integrated Approach to Adaptation and Resilience: Incentives for private sector investment are needed to direct funds not only to infrastructure, but also to other key societal sectors for adaptation and resilience, such as agriculture and food production, supply chain, and access to the internet.
  • Enhanced Substantive Engagement of Business and other Stakeholders: The involvement of business in all its diversity is more important than ever to deliver on Paris, Glasgow, and Sharm El-Sheikh commitments. The Administration has consistently supported the inclusion of all stakeholders in the UNFCCC and this is more crucial than ever at COP27. We urge you to continue to speak out strongly for enhanced and meaningful inclusion of business with all stakeholders, and oppose any measures that would discriminate against or exclude any constituency.

In Glasgow, despite unprecedented business commitments to reduce GHGs and mobilize financial and technical resources, COP26 decisions did not mention the private sector apart from a reference to finance. For USCIB, this sent the wrong signal, and contradicts a record of real achievement and commitment by the private sector to do more.

The Administration has encouraged business from every sector to step up on climate change and join diverse U.S. climate initiatives for ambition, green energy, green purchasing, and more. USCIB member companies have responded positively, and many have additionally launched their own actions to keep 1.5 alive, commit to net-zero and meaningfully contribute across numerous other climate-relevant areas.

We ask therefore for your support to include acknowledgement in COP27 outcomes of the distinct role of business, recommending increased dialogue and partnership with the private sector, and consulting with business and employers to hear views and recommendations on policy options under the UNFCCC.

USCIB members will bring their commitment and solutions to tackle climate change to Sharm El Sheikh, and USCIB looks forward to supporting the U.S. delegation at these meetings. We will be joining forces with our global sister organizations, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and the International Organization of Employers (IOE) to achieve outcomes for broad deployment of lower carbon options across all forms of energy, to strengthen market-based approaches to tackle mitigation and adaptation, and to take international cooperation to a next level of ambition and impact.

Sincerely,
Peter M. Robinson
President & CEO