Presentation for 'Social dialogue: giving voice to sugarcane workers and their communities' session at Bonsucro Global Week 2022

1. Social Dialogue
Grievance Mechanisms
October 2022

2. Bonsucro Strategy & Human Rights Due Diligence
• Respect for Human Rights
• Promotion of UN Guiding Principles on Business &
Human Rights and OECD-FAO Guidance on
Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains
• Bonsucro Code of Conduct, due diligence, Grievance
Mechanism, collective actions, impact projects
Bonsucro Production Standard (v5.1)
• Principle 1
• The operator develop and implements sustainability
policies (includes “Human Rights aligned with the
UNGP”) (C)
• Risk and impacts are systematically assessed (C)
• Risk management plans (C)
• Grievance Mechanism aligned to UNGPs
Effectiveness Criteria (C)

3. • Co-funded by SECO through the ISEAL Innovations Fund
• Partnership between Bonsucro and Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC)
• Two workstreams (info & deliverables here):
– Challenges and Learning on Human Rights Due Diligence systems and
Grievance Mechanisms among ISEAL Community members (research by
Twentyfifty)
– Resource for MSI and Private Sector for working with Third Parties in the
Implementation of Grievance Mechanisms (research by The Remedy
Project)
Good practice & learning in Due
Diligence & Grievance Mechanisms

4. • Framework for the design, function and evaluation of GMs
• Non-judicial mechanisms should be:
a) Legitimate
b) Accessible
c) Predictable
d) Equitable
e) Transparent
f) Rights-compatible
g) A source of continuous learning
h) Based on engagement and dialogue
UNGP 31 - Effectiveness Criteria as framework

5. • Language barriers
• Financial barriers (GM management, mediation costs etc)
• A lack of trust in the objectivity and independence of privately-
operated grievance mechanisms
• A lack of awareness of the existence and benefits of such
mechanisms
• Fear of retaliation, and power and resource imbalances
Some of the key challenges identified in private
sector and MSI GMs

6. The research looked at different potential partners for VSS and private Grievance
Mechanisms including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Orgs
(NGOs), Community-Based Orgs, Worker Groups (syndicates/trade unions) as well as
advisors/experts, and technology providers.
How can Partnerships with Third Parties help?
Enhance outreach
and engagement
with rightsholders
Collaborate in the
resolution of
grievances
Pool resources to
improve quality of
services or support
provided
Streamline and
coordinate functions
and services
Access specialist
expertise
Improve the
effectiveness of
grievance
mechanisms
Provide information
to rightsholders to
enable them to
identify and assess
pathways to remedy
Find out more here: https://bonsucro.com/using-third-parties-to-support-the-design-and-
implementation-of-grievance-mechanisms/

7. • Effective remedy may not be achievable through a single mechanism: a
combination of approaches may be needed
• Practical and legal interconnections between different mechanisms (e.g.
judicial and non-judicial)
• Grievance mechanisms are not “islands”: they all have a regulatory setting
• Need for tailored approach to the context and risks
• Strive for a more coherent, less fragmented, and more easily navigable
remedy landscape
• Consider the contributions each actor can make —individually and collectively
—to address gaps in, and enhance the functioning of, the remedy ecosystem
in which they operate.
From the OHCHR - Accountability and Remedy Project III
OHCHR – The “remedy ecosystem” approach

8. Bonsucro’s continuous improvement
• Committed to continuous improvement towards further alignment
with the UNPGPs Effectiveness criteria:
– Accessibility (language): we will provide the mechanism in other languages
through CEDR
– Accessibility & Transparency: clearer and more accessible/user friendly
communication materials and key messages
– Ecosystem: we will clarify and strengthen Bonsucro’s ecosystem,
collaborating with other third parties and through our risk management
and monitoring tools

10. Group questions
1) What challenges does your company foresee in
relation to accessibility of operational-level
Grievance mechanisms? How are they been
addressed?
2) What benefits come with the implementation of
effective grievance mechanisms?
3) What other channels are important to have in
place and consider in your remediation eco-system?

11. • Principle 1
 The operator develop and implements sustainability
policies (includes “Human Rights aligned with the UNGP
Principles 15 and 16”) (C)
 Risk and impacts are systematically assessed (C)
 Risk management plans (C)
 Grievance Mechanism aligned to UNGPs Effectiveness
Criteria (C)
Bonsucro Production Standard (v 5.1)