Their conversation demonstrated that they do not have a clear concept about codes of conduct. They told us they do not know about codes. However, once the workers consulted were made aware of codes of conduct and their intent, they were generally positive about the potential for codes as a tool to promote respect for workers' rights. Without this right, codes could undermine attempts to establish collective bargaining. It was suggested that freedom of association was a prerequisite for the effective implementation of codes.
Workers have full knowledge of codes and are involved in decision making.
Without this knowledge and participation, codes would be seen as a bureaucratic instrument being imposed from above rather than as an organizing tool. Codes are promoted as one strategy among many. The promotion of codes should not divert attention away from other strategies for improving workers' rights. There was also agreement that all codes should include workers' fundamental rights, including the right to organize, and that workers needed to be involved in the monitoring process. Yet if codes are to be effective it was seen as essential that they are applied to workers who are not factory based, since these workers are growing in number and are the most exploited.