The University of Durham, the fifth founding member of Electronics Watch
The University of Durham becomes the fifth founding member of Electronics Watch, joining other European public sector buyers to push for better conditions for workers in the supply chains of the brands they have contracts with, and gain independent worker-led monitoring of the factories they use.
"Durham University is showing that it really is taking ethical procurement and human rights seriously" according to Durham student Rachel Unwin.
Deputy Director of Procurement Laura Watson said: 'Social responsibility is something that we feel very passionately about, having already signed up to the Worker Rights Consortium and being a Fairtrade University. It is our responsibility to ensure that we use our buying power to influence improvements and protect workers in the global electronics industry. What's more our students are also keen that we procure responsibly.'
People & Planet campaigner Jim Cranshaw said: 'Yet again, a mixture of determined student campaigning, and a responsive university administration, has led to another university joining Electronics Watch. There is now a growing movement of public sector organisations that are saying no to the brutal workers' rights abuses that characterise the electronics industry.'
If you are a public sector buyer, affiliate to Electronics Watch and get involved to protect the rights of electronics workers around the world.