Criterion: Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
Policy commitment to respect workers' rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining in alignment with ILO C087 and C098, with protections against reprisals for union participation.
Full Description
SHR07 Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining
Standard Section: 9.7 Category: Social Human Rights Scheme: Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) Standard Version: 2.0 for Piloting (effective April 30, 2025)
Overview
Policy commitment to respect workers' rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining in alignment with ILO C087 and C098, with protections against reprisals for union participation.
Requirements
The Facility shall:
- 9.7.1 Establish a documented policy that includes a commitment to respect workers' rights to freedom of association and to collective bargaining in alignment with ILO Conventions C087 and C098.
- 9.7.2 Not obstruct workers from participating in the activities of unions or other workers' organizations or refraining therefrom.
- 9.7.3 Permit the establishment of worker committees, with freely elected worker representatives, to discuss workplace issues in the absence of formal collective bargaining or when operating in countries where freedom of association and collective bargaining is restricted by law.
- 9.7.4 Prohibit the interference of the Facility management in electing workers' representatives.
- 9.7.5 Prohibit any form of reprisals or discrimination of workers who participate (actively or passively), or refrain from participation in the election and operational activities of workers' representatives.
- 9.7.6 Ensure employment agreement clauses are never constructed in a manner contrary to a valid collective bargaining agreement.
- 9.7.7 Maintain records of collective bargaining agreements.
Source: RMI Facility Standard for Social, Environmental, OHS and Governance Risks, Version 2.0 for Piloting (April 2025), Section 9.7
Profiles using this criterion
Responsible Minerals Assurance Process
Conformity Alignment
Meets
Pass: Yes
Definition: "Facility has a documented policy committing to respect freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (aligned with ILO C087 and C098), does not obstruct union membership or activities, permits worker committees with freely elected representatives in countries where formal collective bargaining is restricted, prohibits management interference in worker representative elections, prohibits reprisals against workers exercising union rights, ensures employment agreements are not contrary to valid collective bargaining agreements, and maintains records of collective bargaining agreements."
Partially Meets
Pass: No
Definition: "Freedom of association commitments exist but are partially implemented: e.g., policy is in place but workers are not informed of their rights, worker committees exist but management interferes in representative selection, or collective bargaining agreements are not maintained on record."
Remediation: 180 days
Does Not Meet
Pass: No
Definition: "No documented policy on freedom of association, evidence of obstruction of worker union activities or collective bargaining, interference in election of worker representatives, or reprisals against workers for union participation."
Remediation: 90 days
Priority
Pass: No
Definition: "Priority findings are not raised against this criterion. Freedom of association violations are assessed under Does not Meet."
Remediation: 30 days
Not Applicable
Pass: Yes
Definition: "The collective bargaining agreement requirement may be not applicable in countries where freedom of association is legally restricted - in such cases, worker committees with freely elected representatives are required as an alternative."
Not Able To Assess
Pass: No
Definition: "The assessor was unable to access collective bargaining agreements, worker committee records, or interview workers and worker representatives to verify freedom of association practices."
Change Log
1.0.0 (2026-06-24)
Initial release.