Revised Operational Guidance on Workers’ Rights consolidates good practices for companies
21 julho 2025
The Accountability Framework supports companies with implementing key workers’ rights provisions in their operations and supply chains
Millions of people around the world who grow, harvest, and process agricultural and forestry products work in difficult and dangerous conditions. Global commodity supply chains, such as those for beef and leather, cocoa, palm oil, rubber, and timber, are frequently linked to workers’ rights violations. These include child labour, forced labour, poor wages, unsafe workplaces, and other forms of exploitation.
Conditions such as these violate internationally-recognised human rights, and pose material risks to companies that are exposed to them. To address these risks and impacts, companies should first commit to respecting the rights of workers in their operations, supply chains, and financial investments in line with Accountability Framework Core Principle 2.3.
To support companies in implementing their commitments, the AFi has updated its Operational Guidance on Workers’ Rights. It offers companies practical steps to translate into action each of the ten workers’ rights provisions found in the Core Principle. The guidance incorporates good practices that have emerged since the first version was published in 2021. It also includes improvements made in response to feedback from users and other stakeholders.
The Accountability Framework is a roadmap for achieving supply chains that are free from human rights abuses, deforestation, and ecosystem conversion. Its guidance represents the consensus of the AFi Coalition, which comprises more than 20 human rights and environmental organisations.
“This comprehensive resource consolidates effective practices that help companies strengthen worker protections and labour standards. The Accountability Framework guidance provides companies the clarity and tools needed to advance human rights commitments,” said Shawn MacDonald, CEO, Verité.
The revised Operational Guidance is grounded in the most relevant international laws and frameworks addressing workers’ rights, such as International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct, and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).
It also reflects the expectations of emerging and enacted regulations, such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), German Supply Chain Act, other national due diligence legislation, and domestic forced labour bans.
Tailored guidance for supply chain actors
The updated resource provides tailored guidance for companies based on their positions in the supply chain, making clear which expectations apply to them. For each of the ten workers’ rights provisions, it offers practical implementation guidance, including what the right entails; risks and red flags companies should watch for; and links to supporting resources.
For commodity producers and processors, the document gives guidance on good practice for implementing each of the ten provisions on the ground where commodities are grown. For commodity buyers, which typically lack direct control over on-the-ground conditions, it provides guidance on effective supply chain management. This spans internal capacity building; risk assessment; procurement systems; supplier management and engagement; measures to address harms to workers’ rights when they occur; and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
“Respecting workers’ rights is a fundamental component of responsible commodity production and sourcing,” said Marina Comandulli, Senior Human Rights and Deforestation Associate, Global Canopy. “Real progress requires companies and investors to integrate human rights and environmental due diligence across their entire supply chains. The Accountability Framework helps them do that.”
The revision also offers new sections with enhanced guidance on living income and responsible recruitment. These two provisions were added to reflect their growing importance, and to align with the 2023 update to the Core Principles.
The guidance also places stronger emphasis on human rights due diligence (HRDD). The document is structured around the six-step HRDD process that is laid out in the UNGPs and reflected in many laws. This approach makes it easier for companies to integrate workers’ rights into their broader due diligence processes, and to align with existing and emerging government regulations.
To get started with the Accountability Framework, access the revised Operational Guidance on Workers’ Rights now. Companies can find additional tools to support fully respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and workers on our human rights page.