Key Learnings from amfori’s Events on “Responsible Business Conduct and Access to Remedy” in Vietnam

On 2 June, amfori hosted a Stakeholder Dialogue in Hanoi, which was co-chaired by Patrick Haverman, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Vietnam. He commended “amfori’s Supply Chain Grievance Mechanism, the Speak for Change Programme, […] [for its ability to provide] an example that illustrates the effective role business associations can play in tackling responsible business-related claims.”

During the keynote speeches and open dialogue, representatives from government, businesses, non-governmental organisations, academia and international organisations shared their diverse perspectives surrounding challenges in creating an enabling environment for access to remedy and grievance mechanisms.  Participants went on to discuss pathways and collaboration opportunities to ensure access to effective remedy in the country. The importance of trust building and workers’ involvement as well as the importance of creating a balance of power and knowledge while fostering collaboration between local and international stakeholders were emphasised to accelerate progress and create positive impact for workers, communities and companies across the entire value chain.

The dialogue also helped to create a common understanding for the regulatory drivers, such as the existing German Supply Chain Act and the EU’s upcoming Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which mandate companies to follow responsible business practices as well as set up and implement effective grievance mechanisms in their global value chains.

On 6 June, amfori also hosted a practical workshop in Ho Chi Minh City to engage with its members’ local sourcing offices, Vietnamese producers, monitoring partners, trade unions and local organisations. The workshop aimed to understand practical barriers to the implementation of amfori’s Supply Chain Grievance Mechanism.

amfori will use the learnings from both events to strengthen its Supply Chain Grievance Mechanism and inform scale-up in the next countries, including Turkey, Bangladesh and India in a first phase and more countries in the long run. We will continue to liaise closely with businesses and stakeholders to create a future where responsible business conduct becomes the norm; and access to remedy, a reality for all.