Freedom of association and collective bargaining: Response from Pentland

Summary: Pentland has signed up to the agreement on freedom of association negotiated between brands, unions and suppliers in Indonesia, but needs to do more across all its suppliers to create a positive climate for trade unionism and collective negotiating.

Pentland has signed up to the protocol on freedom of association between major sportswear brands, unions and suppliers in Indonesia. Once signed, this protocol binds Pentland suppliers to implement a series of reforms to ensure this right is respected including: workers being able to join/form a union without employers interfering; negotiating a bargaining agreement on the basis (or stronger) of the protocol; and trade union reps being given time to carry out their trade union duties. Information about further work on freedom of association in other countries the subject is thin on the ground.

Play Fair’s view:

Play Fair recognises that Pentland has signed up to the protocol on freedom of association. We welcome Pentland’s plans to work with suppliers to encourage them to sign up to the protocol and implement it in factories.

With regard to Pentland’s wider approach, it has a commitment to support freedom of association within its code, but the brand does not require suppliers to take steps to create a positive climate for this. It could start by working with local unions and NGOs to deliver training on this fundamental right. Asking its suppliers to sign access agreements with trade unions, and requiring suppliers to inform workers that they have a right to organise and bargain collectively in their factories would also be a positive step. Pentland must take a wider systematic approach to supporting freedom of association across its supply chains with publicly available evidence of activities and plans.