Oxfam Says Unilever’s Labor Relations In Vietnam Have Improved, Somewhat

Since it first issued a negative report in 2013 on Unilever’s relationship with workers in its Vietnam plants, the Oxfam organization has found improvements. The company has increased dialog with trade unions, implemented better sourcing policies, and improved trust between workers and management. The company is also committed to more direct employment in its factories, leading to greater job security and employment benefits. However, Oxfam said Unilever needs to increase efforts to ensure gender equality and do more to influence suppliers in their labor relations. The proportion of women is down to 13 percent in 2015 from 19 percent in 2011, for example. Suppliers, meanwhile, are more aware of Unilever’s labor standards expectations, but don’t know how to fulfill them without financial consequences.