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Verité Emerging Markets Research Project: Supporting labor improvements in investment decision-making Dan Viederman Presentation to Labor standards in development finance April 18, 2006
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Verité Non-profit global research organization specializing in monitoring consumer products manufacturing: including footwear, apparel, accessories, electronics, toys and food 60+ countries Offices in China, India, Bangladesh, Philippines, Belgium, Latin America, US
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Verité Verités work Assessments and solutions for: –Corporations –Factories –Governments –Investors Range of activities –Social auditing –Training/capacity building –Consultation/program design –Research
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Verité The CalPERS Emerging Markets Research Project CalPERS and NYCERS emerging markets investments Assessing ability to support institutional investment through Permissible Countries List 27 countries
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Verité CalPERS Investment Criteria Five Market Factors –Market liquidity and volatility –Market regulation/investor protection –Capital markets openness –Settlement proficiency –Transaction costs Three Country Factors –Political stability –Transparency –PRODUCTIVE LABOR PRACTICES VERITE CONTRACTED TO PROVIDE
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Verité Investment Criteria: Productive Labour Practices a productive workforce is a critical factor in economic growth and, ultimately, equity market success Wilshire Assoc. report to CalPERS Focus of research –To facilitate economically-productive labor practices, markets shall be evaluated based on their ratification of and adherence to the International Labour Organizations principles … and the degree of effectiveness of implementation
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Verité Research Methodology: Range of sources Desk research: publicly available documents In-country interviews by country nationals –Government –Business and trade associations –Trade unions –Non-governmental organizations Verite on-the-ground knowledge from audits, training, etc.
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Verité Research Methodology: Criteria 4 ILO Core Convention Areas –Child labor –Forced labor –Freedom of association –Equality/Discrimination 4 functional areas –Convention Ratification (10%) –National legislation (25%) –Institutional capacity (15%) –Effectiveness of implementation (50%)
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Verité Calculations - outcomes 41 specific indicators Permissible/ impermissible Risk factors Forward- Looking factors Increasing depth Scoring/assessment
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Verité Reactions: Finding meaning in this investment decision Positive news for social investors: –Expansion of fiduciary responsibility for these investors –Opportunity to engage country governments –About $2 - 3 billion more in socially- screened portfolios
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Verité Reactions: Finding meaning in this investment decision Questions/concerns for social investors: –Exclusion, not engagement –Will it help workers directly? –Will it make for more productive investments? Danger of a backlash
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Verité Next steps: Whats possible? Engage with countries instead of excluding them –Use this framework as a guide to priorities for capacity building Extend to company-level decision-making –Active portfolio management will examine ILO standards and Global Sullivan Principles Include emerging markets operations Adapt this framework for use in decision- making by other investment institutions
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