Collective Bargaining
The Role of Better Work Jordan
Better Work Jordan – a joint initiative between the ILO and the International Finance Corporation – introduced the idea of a collective bargaining agreement to the employers and the garment union in early 2012.
Better Work Jordan then provided separate collective bargaining training to both sides utilizing ILO expertise to help the employers and the union prepare for negotiations. The training included background on the benefits of collective bargaining and on how to prepare for negotiations. It also included hands-on training to enhance the negotiation skills of participants.
ILO experts reviewed the draft proposal to ensure that the language reflects Jordan’s obligations under ILO Convention 98: Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining and its obligations as a member state of the ILO with respect to the principles of the ILO’s core conventions.
Plans are underway for follow-up training to both parties regarding the administration of the agreement and how to make it more effective as a tool for settling disputes.
‘’One of the aspects of our work is that once we identify issues of concern in each factory, we encourage that a labour-management committee be created to implement an improvement plan. Once there is greater movement towards social dialogue on a factory level, we look at ways to improve social dialogue at the sectoral level, by working with both parties.” Better Work Jordan Programme Manager Phillip Fishman.
‘’We brought in experts from the ILO to work with the union and employers to help them better understand what the collective bargaining process entailed, how they could present their interests effectively and how this could be a win-win for both sides. This was instrumental not only in reducing resistance to the possibility of a sectoral agreement, but also in giving them knowledge and creating a positive atmosphere,” Better Work Jordan Programme Manager Phillip Fishman.
ILO experts reviewed the draft proposal to ensure that the language reflects Jordan’s obligations under ILO Convention 98: Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining and its obligations as a member state of the ILO with respect to the principles of the ILO’s core conventions.
Plans are underway for follow-up training to both parties regarding the administration of the agreement and how to make it more effective as a tool for settling disputes.
‘’One of the aspects of our work is that once we identify issues of concern in each factory, we encourage that a labour-management committee be created to implement an improvement plan. Once there is greater movement towards social dialogue on a factory level, we look at ways to improve social dialogue at the sectoral level, by working with both parties.” Better Work Jordan Programme Manager Phillip Fishman.
‘’We brought in experts from the ILO to work with the union and employers to help them better understand what the collective bargaining process entailed, how they could present their interests effectively and how this could be a win-win for both sides. This was instrumental not only in reducing resistance to the possibility of a sectoral agreement, but also in giving them knowledge and creating a positive atmosphere,” Better Work Jordan Programme Manager Phillip Fishman.