GE CitizenshipIncluding Human Rights Principles in Our Supply Chain
In 2008, GE expanded its supplier due diligence program to cover freedom of association, discrimination and harassment/retaliation consistent with our stated commitment to “advance (with our direct business partners) application of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Declaration through engagement and collaboration.” These new diligence items surfaced a number of rather predictable issues. One such issue came out of the Middle East, where a supplier alleged that country law prohibited unions and therefore did not permit employees to raise grievances collectively — a requirement under standards supporting freedom of association. After analysis of local law and persistence with the supplier, the supplier eventually permitted the presentation of grievances by a group of employees. While this may seem like a small step toward advancing human rights, every step is meaningful.