Key Players and Their Roles
Grupo Sesé, a prominent logistics company, and the Vicente Lombardo Toledano Union (VLT) have signed on to the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) memorandum of understanding. This agreement commits Grupo Sesé to implementing the 8 Principles for Decent Work in Warehousing, Distribution, and Logistics across all its operations, both direct and subcontracted.
Who’s Involved?
- Grupo Sesé: A Mexican logistics company with a significant presence in the global supply chain.
- Vicente Lombardo Toledano Union (VLT): A labor union representing workers in the warehousing and logistics sector.
- International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF): A global union federation advocating for transport workers’ rights and decent work conditions.
Why They Matter:
These organizations play a crucial role in shaping work standards and conditions within the warehousing and logistics sectors. Their collaboration with ITF demonstrates a commitment to ethical supply chains and decent work practices.
ITF Secretary-General Stephen Cotton’s Perspective
During his visit to Mexico, Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary, emphasized the importance of this agreement for elevating work standards and conditions in warehousing and logistics.
“This is a vital commitment from a major logistics player to raise the bar on work standards and conditions,” Cotton stated.
Cotton also highlighted the significance of workers shaping their work standards, stating that Grupo Sesé’s agreement demonstrates that ethical supply chains are both achievable and essential in today’s global economy.
The 8 Principles for Decent Work
The memorandum outlines eight key principles for decent work in warehousing, distribution, and logistics:
- Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work: Based on the ILO Declaration, ensuring freedom of association, non-discrimination, and a safe working environment.
- Safe Work: Identifying and managing workplace hazards, with worker participation in health and safety planning.
- Secure and Decent Jobs: Advocating for stable, full-time employment, fair wages, social protection, and fair scheduling.
- Harassment- and Violence-Free Workplaces: Implementing strong anti-violence policies, gender-sensitive remedial mechanisms, and safe displacement options.
- Responsible Technology Use: Ensuring algorithmic transparency, setting limits on surveillance, and collective consultation on technology deployment.
- Just Transition to Climate-Ready Warehousing: Integrating decarbonization with labor safety and resilience planning.
- Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining: Reaffirming the right to organize and bargain collectively, even in restrictive jurisdictions.
- Effective Grievance Mechanisms: Promoting accessible, equitable, and rights-based redress systems with continuous learning and transparency.
ITF Regional Secretary Edgar Díaz’s Comments
Edgar Díaz, ITF Regional Secretary for Latin America, emphasized the region’s importance in the global supply chain and the need to uphold workers’ rights:
“Latin America is a critical link in the global supply chain. This agreement sends a clear message: warehouse and logistics workers have the right to decent work, to organize, and to be treated with dignity. Defending human and labor rights is not optional—it’s fundamental for building fair and resilient supply chains,” Díaz said.
Joint Framework for Dialogue, Monitoring, and Problem-Solving
The agreement also establishes a joint framework for regular dialogue, implementation monitoring, and problem-solving between Grupo Sesé Mexico, VLT, and ITF, aligning with the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Decent Work Agenda.
