The Norwegian (Supply Chain) Transparency Act which came into force in July 2022. The Act aims to promote decent working conditions in connection with the production of goods and the provision of services and specifically mentions that workers should receive a living wage (§3)1. The International Labour Organization’s agreement on a definition of a living wage in February 2024 also strengthens the subject on a global level2.
Ethical trade Norway facilitates a working group for members who want to focus on living wages in their supply chain. The group consists of 18 members within the textile, food and farming, tech and tires sectors. The participants include Aalesund Protective Wear, Advania Norge, BAMA Gruppen, Bergans Fritid, BRAV, CAMILLA PIHL FASHION GROUP, Continental deck, Coop Norge, Interfrukt, Nor Tekstil, Norwegian Concept, REMA 1000 Norge, Stiftelsen Tradebroker, Unil, Varner, Voice Norge, Wenaas Workwear and Würth MODYF. The working group is a platform where members can exchange ideas and collaborate on initiatives to identify and ensure a living wage for workers in their supply chain. Members can discuss, collaborate and receive feedback on concrete measures taken or planned to enable a living wage for workers in their supply chains
The group meets bi-monthly. Each meeting focuses on an activity that the participants go through in their work with living wages. The meetings focus on the following:
a) Set targets for living wage initiatives.
b) Engage in dialogue with suppliers regarding living wages and pay levels.
c) Map actual pay levels within the supply chain.
d) Compare actual wage levels against the living wage benchmark to identify wage gaps.
e) Analyse the link between the living wage gap and your own procurement practices.
f) Explore opportunities to strengthen your influence.
g) Consider appropriate measures to reduce the living wage gap.
