Rationale 3.6

The rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining are key mechanisms of worker engagement. These rights, and the pathways that they create, enable workers to come together, articulate their needs to employers and engage in a dialogue regarding the realisation of decent working conditions.

This Criterion focuses on ASC-certified farms upholding employees’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining – and where national law does not permit these rights, how farms can provide alternatives for employees.

Intent – The aquaculture industry respects and supports the rights to collective bargaining and freedom of association.