Our Recent Projects

IMPLEMENTATION OF IFC PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AT KAROT HYDROPOWER PROJECT

Project Description:

GSUK was engaged by Yangtze Three Gorges Technology and Economy Development Company (TGDC) in June 2021 to facilitate and ensure the implementation of IFC Performance Standards (PS) related to Labour and social compliance at the 720 MW Hydropower project. The project was part of the CPEC agreement, employing 6000 people aimed at developing state-of-the-art infrastructure. With the multistakeholder engagement, IFC was among the key lenders with the requirement of implementation against their performance standards. GSUK was allocated a role as an advisor and further on as an implementation partner to ensure all IFC performance standards are fully embedded across the project.  The main impetus from GSUK was not only to identify areas of improvement but to integrate into local teams, apply social dialogue ensuring all standards are met successfully.

Our key contributions in ES were focussed on HR and SL and OHS overlapping themes, that supported our client in minimising the ES risks and remarkable Improvement on CM requirements and meeting PS requirements. It also supported in creating state of art safe living conditions, comprehensive and traceable HR systems embedding legal framework, achieving 100% compliance with multiple markers of social compliance including decent payments, fair working conditions, and resolution for over 600 grievances.

Project Outcomes:

  • worked as implementer to ratify and implement all clauses under the PS framework, including subcontractor management and security.
  • Established a robust HR compliance system including updating employment policies and employee handbooks in different languages.
  • Ensured all working conditions adhered to Ps requirements, social dialogue, and committee formation
  • Capacity building for over 80 Health and Safety staff on 50+ topics
  • Social labour training for more than 2000+ employees.
  • Established policies, protocols, HR and HSE systems and communication tools in various languages including English, Urdu and Chinese.
  • Implemented and monitored leave procedure, all leaves and people coming back from leave including those affected by COVID
  • 100% of the workers had contracts in their native language
  • 100% of workers were on minimum wage and receive food allowance
  • Effectively managed and resolved over 600 grievances related to the Grievance Redressal Mechanism, with a focus on achieving timely closures and resolutions.
  • Installed a tailored HR compliance system
  • Supported in arranging, formalising, and leading on meetings for labours and managers, create formal channels of two-way communication, engagement activities such as but not limited to social dialogue techniques, structuring channels equal or parallel to freedom of association and Collective bargaining agreements.
  • Embedded monitoring system for project and conducted both internal and external Audits in adherence to recommendations from MML/IFC, aiming to ensure robust compliance frameworks.
  • Supported facilitation between Labour and Management as defined under ILO Freedom of association and Collective bargain convention no 87 and 98, Pakistan law and IFC PS2.

ILO FPRW IMPLEMENTATION IN COTTON COMMUNITES

Project Description:

GSUK has recently conducted a detailed study into the last three tiers of textile industry in Pakistan for the ILO and in partnership with the Employers Federation of Pakistan. The project sought to identify the key business and labour challenges throughout the lower ends of the supply chain from farmers, cotton communities, ginning and spinning sector. ILO Fundamental principles of rights at work (FPRW) was the key focus to identify current gaps and develop comprehensive program implementing FPRW in whole of textile supply chain .

The project deliverables included, primary research, evaluation and analysis of sustainability factors, social and labour abuses, and other areas of non-adherence to regulations. These finding were shared with stakeholders and there was a validation workshop highlighting key recommendations. The project identified the gaps in international standards and practices, and setting out a policy and strategic level framework for action. The project deliverables included recommended plans for implementation to assist the industry to draw on best practices and eliminate abuses in social standards and principles set by ILO.

Project Outcomes:

  • Identification and surveillance of the key geographic locations, types of workplace and production processes for the Cotton production and textile supply chain 
  • A detail research base report Describing the local normative values within cotton production .
  • Social impact assessment and topographical mapping of supplychain identifying cultural, environmental and social contributors.
  • Comprehensive map of social and labour risks indicators in supplychain  through Labor interviews.
  • Implementation framework for legislative regime and establishment of overarching governance skeleton for embedding  FPRW( ILO) in cotton production.
  • Detail data report Identifying inner and larger environmental, logistic and other issues.
  • Engagement program was delivered with factories and production units including farms for responsible business and upskill the social conduct.
  • Established stakeholder dialogue including workers, owners, raw material providers, NGOs, Labour office, Ginning association, SMEDA, local school and infrastructure providers and policy makers.
  • Developed Social sustainability matrix based on FPRW principles and other International standards.
  • Delivered a detailed industry wide capacity building program and introduced a technical tool for implementation in various local languages.
  • Established an evaluation, monitoring and reporting program depicting all sustainability pillars.
  • Delivered a detail report on social performance for the industry.
  • Delivered a Capacity building program enabling social sustainability assurance to enter new markets.
  • Developed a framework for national strategy and policy on social compliance standards based on statutory drivers, evidence base best practices and existing resources.

VALUE CHAIN ANALYSIS IN MEDICAL DEVICE INDUSTRY

Project Description:

GSUK supported PILER and ETI to deliver a value chain analysis of the surgical instruments sector and supply chain. GSUK supported the field study analysis in Pakistan. Our experts provided in depth knowledge of the strategic drivers of the industry and provided an insightful information that will help in regulating the industry. Our experts conducted field visits, interviewing factory owners and homeworkers, local associations, NGOs and communities. 

The value chain analysis includes the geographical mapping of supply chain, identifying the stake holders, engage with the stake holders locally and internationally.

The study involved identifying the root cause for the social abuse, social impact assessment, benchmarking practices against international markers and standards, investigating and map legislative framework as per local and international statutory drivers, and current working standards in the industry. The study explored not only child labour, forced labour, slavery and discrimination but also explored the working health and safety conditions, environmental impact including wider supply chain of and distribution locally and internationally.

Project Outcomes:

  • Identification and surveillance of the key geographic locations, types of workplace and production processes for the Cotton production and textile supply chain 
  • A detail research base report Describing the local normative values within cotton production .
  • Social impact assessment and topographical mapping of supplychain identifying cultural, environmental and social contributors.
  • Comprehensive map of social and labour risks indicators in supplychain  through Labor interviews.
  • Implementation framework for legislative regime and establishment of overarching governance skeleton for embedding  FPRW( ILO) in cotton production.
  • Detail data report Identifying inner and larger environmental, logistic and other issues.
  • Engagement program was delivered with factories and production units including farms for responsible business and upskill the social conduct.
  • Established stakeholder dialogue including workers, owners, raw material providers, NGOs, Labour office, Ginning association, SMEDA, local school and infrastructure providers and policy makers.
  • Developed Social sustainability matrix based on FPRW principles and other International standards.
  • Delivered a detailed industry wide capacity building program and introduced a technical tool for implementation in various local languages.
  • Established an evaluation, monitoring and reporting program depicting all sustainability pillars.
  • Delivered a detail report on social performance for the industry.
  • Delivered a Capacity building program enabling social sustainability assurance to enter new markets.
  • Developed a framework for national strategy and policy on social compliance standards based on statutory drivers, evidence base best practices and existing resources.

ENHANCING SOCIAL AND LABOUR SUSTAINABILITY FOR NHS SUPPLY CHAIN FOR P&R FABRICS

Project Description:

P&R Fabrics received comprehensive technical expert support from GSUK to successfully deliver on the NHS supply chain framework, which forms part of a public body tender. Under this framework, all suppliers to the NHS (National Health Service) are required to adhere to strict social and environmental standards, in compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the Social Value Act 2012, and UK Environmental Law.

These regulations ensure that suppliers not only operate ethically but also contribute to broader social and environmental goals. GSUK’s team provided extensive services to P&R Fabrics, helping them excel in social performance as assessed by the NHS’s Labour Standards Assurance System (LSAS) and achieve top-level performance in the National Matrix. Additionally, we guided them through securing certification against key environmental standards, ensuring their operations align with sustainability requirements. This project was a collaborative effort between the UK and Pakistan, reflecting the global scope of P&R Fabrics’ supply chain, and ensuring that ethical and sustainable practices were integrated across all levels of their operations.

By addressing both local and international regulatory demands, this project helped P&R Fabrics demonstrate leadership in social and environmental responsibility within the textile industry, ultimately supporting NHS’s commitment to sustainable procurement and ethical sourcing on a global scale.

Project Outcomes:

  • Mapping of supply chain and identifying risks of social abuse within their supply chain.
  • Creating supply chain management system.
  • Benchmarking current performance on Environmental ethical and social standards against international framework of sustainability standards.
  • In-depth Impact assessment for Environmental and social interventions for direct and indirect operations and community base responsibility
  • Integrating triple bottom approach as a driver for Sustainability agenda incorporating integration of Social and environmental footprints with corporate management system.
  • Performance matrix and review for all corporate entities including their other business Work in Style Ltd.
  • Incorporating legislative framework and creating business resilience and risk management matrix for program assurance.
  • Provided the full system for supply chains, to ensure compliance with ISO 14001, Energy performance and SBTI returns for Scope 1,2 and 3, ESG reporting and CSRD compliance.
  • Provided capacity building and training to implement LSAS, MSAT and HSE across supply chain in UK and Pakistan.
  • Accreditation preparation for the company against the certification scheme and training of the team with full support on policy development, documentation, procedures, and operational controls.
  • Registering and engaging with international supplier for implementation under Brand Pakistan program based on improving bilateral trade.