A new international framework agreement has been signed by management at the German-headquartered plastics, automotive components and electronics manufacturer Gebrüder Röchling KG, its European Works Council and representatives of the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) and the International Metalworkers’ Federation (IMF). It is dated 30 November 2004, but was publicised by the signatory parties on 15 August 2005.
A new international framework agreement, concluded at the German-headquartered manufacturer Gebrüder Röchling KG, commits the company to adhering to ILO Conventions in a range of employee rights areas. It also commits the parties to working together in a spirit of cooperation. The company also encourages its business partners to adhere to the provisions of the accord.
A new international framework agreement has been signed by management at the German-headquartered plastics, automotive components and electronics manufacturer Gebrüder Röchling KG, its European Works Council and representatives of the European Metalworkers’ Federation (EMF) and the International Metalworkers’ Federation (IMF). It is dated 30 November 2004, but was publicised by the signatory parties on 15 August 2005.
The agreement, entitled Principles of Social Responsibility, is available in English, French and German. Röchling is grouped into three divisions: engineering plastics; automotive engineering; and electrical engineering. The agreement covers its 50 production facilities worldwide and its 8,000-strong workforce.
In the recitals to the agreement, the company acknowledges that social responsibility is a 'crucial precondition' for economic growth and states that social responsibility is an important factor that will affect the long-term success of the company. It pledges to try to create and safeguard jobs within the context of globalisation.
The agreement is organised into four further sections:
human rights;
working conditions;
freedom of association, the role of employee representatives and trade union rights; and
execution and implementation.
Human rights
This section covers equal opportunities and non-discrimination, pledging the company to adhere to International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 100 and 111. The agreement also pledges the parties to show each other mutual respect.
The company rejects forced labour, in line with ILO Convention 29 and child labour, in line with ILO Conventions 138 and 182. It states that the minimum age of a worker will be based on national laws or relevant collective agreements, as long as this age is not lower than that stipulated by the ILO.
Working conditions
This section covers remuneration, stating that all employees have a right to 'reasonable' remuneration, in accordance with ILO Convention 100. The company also pledges to respect national regulations on pay and working time and makes a commitment to give occupational health and safety top priority. The company also gives a commitment to develop existing employee skills and to offer training and retraining.
Freedom of association, the role of employee representatives and trade union rights
The company makes a commitment to comply with ILO Conventions 87 on freedom of association and protection of the right to organise and 98 on the right to organise and collective bargaining.
The company, employee representatives and trade unions make a commitment to work together 'openly and in the spirit of a constructive and cooperative resolution of conflicts accommodating the interests of both sides'.
Execution and implementation
The accord states that it is binding on all Röchling companies in which the group has industrial leadership. It should be made available to all managements, employee representatives and employees throughout the group. The company also encourages its business partners to adhere to the principles of this accord, stating that this will constitute 'a positive basis for future business relationships'.
This information is made available through the European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO), as a service to users of the EIROnline database. EIRO is a project of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. However, this information has been neither edited nor approved by the Foundation, which means that it is not responsible for its content and accuracy. This is the responsibility of the EIRO national centre that originated/provided the information. For details see the "About this record" information in this record.
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Eurofound (2005), New international framework agreement at Röchling, article.
