Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative Takes Active Role in Developing Roadmap to Close Living Income Gap

The summit saw significant strides towards closing living wage and income gaps through collaborative actions between the public and private sectors, producers and buyers, and social dialogue. Participants engaged in knowledge transfer, shared tools, and case examples, which underscored the possibilities and opportunities for further collaboration in this critical area. International organisations and due diligence regulations are increasingly recognising and embracing the importance of living wages and incomes.

Representing the SSCI was Luiza Reguse, who participated actively in the summit’s discussions. The first day featured a comprehensive program, including international developments presented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), networking opportunities, and interactive breakout sessions.

On the second day, the focus shifted to developing the “Roadmap on Living Wage: Shaping its Next Phase Together.” The SSCI participated in the stakeholder committee, discussing the future of responsible sourcing and exploring the integration of living wage considerations into the SSCI Benchmark. Although our current social sustainability benchmark does not cover living wages, our involvement in these discussions marks a significant step forward. We are committed to understanding the landscape and studying the potential inclusion of living wage criteria, guided by emerging ILO standards and industry expectations.

The SSCI plays a crucial role in the sustainability landscape by setting the bar for industry expectations, recognising best practices, and offering a benchmark for third-party audit and certification standards. Our engagement in the Living Wage & Living Income Summit highlights how we work with industry in driving positive change and ensuring credible and trustworthy sustainability practices in global supply chains.

Living wages and incomes are essential to achieving sustainable economic development. As we continue to engage in global conversations and collaborate with various stakeholders, we invite you to join us in making strides towards fairer and more sustainable value chains.

As the SSCI remains dedicated to being a cornerstone of sustainability standards, driving continuous improvement and fostering global collaboration, we encourage you to learn more about our efforts.

To find out more about the SSCI and work with us, visit our website and sign up to receive news and updates.