Institutionalizing and strengthening labour and human rights and improving labour governance in food systems

Addressing labour protection gap for food system workers through the promotion of the ratification and effective implementation of ILO instruments and UN human rights conventions, paying special attention to fundamental principles and rights at work, namely:

• Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining

• The elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour

• The effective abolition of child labour

• The elimination of discrimination in respect to employment and occupation

• A healthy and safe working environment.

The work of the Coalition covers different production systems – from family farms to large plantations – and specific sectors, including food processing, fisheries and aquaculture, which may not always be covered by food system policies and regulations. Emphasis is given to categories of workers that are particularly vulnerable to violations of fundamental principles and rights at work, such as migrants, informal, and seasonal workers.

Promoting decent employment in the agri-food sector, with a focus on more and better jobs for the most vulnerable

As the source of employment and livelihood opportunities for 1.23 billion people globally, the agri-food sector can be an important driver of decent work and sustainable enterprise development. A socially, environmentally and economically sustainable agri-food sector with full, productive and freely chosen employment and decent work at its core is essential for eradicating poverty, tackling inequalities and ending global hunger. This includes:

• Generating decent jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities in the agri-food sector, especially for the most vulnerable, and reduce existing decent work deficits in the sector.

• Promoting inclusive and transformative investments in the agri-food sector.

Key constraints that need to be addressed to engage women, Indigenous Peoples, youth and other marginalised communities in the agri-food sector are the lack of knowledge, capacity, and inclusive policy dialogues, inequitable access to productive resources, including land and finance, and limited opportunities for meaningful engagement.

Empowering food system workers through strengthening workplace organization and effective social dialogue

Social dialogue includes all types of negotiation, consultation or simply exchange of information between, or among, representatives of governments, employers and workers, on issues of common interest relating to economic and social policy. Successful social dialogue structures and processes have the potential to resolve important economic and social issues, encourage good governance, advance social and industrial peace and stability and boost economic progress. Within this priority area, the work of the Coalition is amed at:

• Promoting the effective functioning and representation of existing and new social dialogue mechanisms with a view to giving plantation workers, women, youth, small-scale producers and all other relevant stakeholders a voice in social and economic development.

• Strengthening the capacity workers and employers to effectively engage in social dialogue processes.

Ensuring the rights to social protection and income security are upheld

Social protection, or social security, is a human right and is defined as the set of policies and programmes designed to reduce and prevent poverty, vulnerability and social exclusion throughout the life cycle. Social protection includes nine main areas: child and family benefits, maternity protection, unemployment support, employment injury benefits, sickness benefits, health protection (medical care), old-age benefits, invalidity / disability benefits, and survivors’ benefits. Social protection systems address all these policy areas by a mix of contributory schemes (social insurance) and non-contributory tax-financed benefits (including social assistance). Expansion of social protection, both contributory and non-contributory schemes, as a fundamental right.

Accelerating the progressive realization of nationally defined social protection floors that guarantee at least essential health care, safe and nutritious foods, and basic income security to all, including the poor, food-insecure, and workers in the agri-food systems, including informal, migrant, and seasonal workers and especially those most likely be left behind.

Achieving 100% living incomes and wages

Significantly improving incomes and wages in food systems will bring substantial improvements in livelihoods and resilience, starting with the small-scale farmers and agricultural wage workers who are essential actors in achieving future food and nutrition security and rural prosperity across the world.