Israel-Hamas-conflict: ETI's updated statement

As a human rights organisation with expertise in workers’ rights, ETI’s mission focuses on protecting the lives and the rights of workers, and those most vulnerable in our company members’ supply chains. 

In this complex situation we will continue to support our members to understand the impacts on affected workers and to identify what can be done to mitigate adverse impacts from a sourcing perspective.  

This conflict is causing devastating impacts on millions of people and many communities across Israel and Gaza. ETI is not a humanitarian relief organisation, but we know that conflict will always disproportionately affect vulnerable groups including women, children, older people and people living with disabilities. Business has a role to play in recovery and support to affected workers and communities as part of the response process. We support calls for an urgent ceasefire and an end to the conflict. 

Our expectations for responsible business 

We expect ETI company members and other responsible businesses sourcing from affected areas to adhere to the ETI Base Code and apply the UNGPs: 

The ETI Base Code still applies during conflict and humanitarian crises; we expect company members to adhere to the ETI Base Code to the greatest extent possible across their supply chains. Equally, the responsibility of business to respect international human rights, undertake due diligence and mitigate risks as set out in the UNGPs, remains. The UNGPs consider business action in conflict affected areas under operational principle 7. 

ETI’s HRDD Framework also remains applicable; we expect ETI company members and responsible businesses to use the framework to prevent, manage and mitigate human rights abuses in their own operations and supply chains. 

ETI will continue to engage our membership on this crisis and offer advice as it relates to workers in affected supply chains.