Last month CAF hosted Professor Tomoya Obokata, the UN Special Rapporteur on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, at a training and development session for some of our CAF Representatives (CAF Reps). The session included 13 CAF Reps, organisers from the United Workers Union (UWU), and CAF staff including CAF Co-CEO (Programs), Dr Miriam Thompson.
During the session, cleaners shared personal accounts of the labour issues they face in the cleaning industry, including unsafe working conditions, and the barriers faced in addressing common workplace issues. Their stories shone a light on the systemic challenges that CAF seeks to address through its worker-driven compliance model. Discussions also explored the unique struggles faced by international students in the Australian labour market and how CAF empowers them, and others, to assert their workplace rights.
“Professor Obokata’s visit to Australia has come at a significant time and we were delighted to be able to facilitate his direct engagement with cleaners as part of his assessment of the current risks to workers in Australia, and to explore some possible solutions for Government and business to adopt. There was a real sense of exchange, pride and possibility in the room, and that is what CAF is all about.” – Dr Miriam Thomspon, Co-CEO (Programs), CAF
“The CAF Reps were open during the discussion and felt safe sharing their stories. Being able to speak in their own languages with help from a union lead and CAF made it easier for them to express themselves. Even though some were hesitant at first, it was clear they appreciated the chance to speak honestly.” – Jennifer Alonso, Worker Engagement Officer, CAF
The United Workers Union (UWU) played a crucial role in facilitating the session by educating the CAF representatives on how to collaborate with management and facilities staff on raising and remediating workplace issues.
The CAF representatives in attendance at the session represented five different cleaning contractors, and nine different building owners, showcasing the multistakeholder nature of CAF.
Endorsement from the UN Special Rapporteur
The participation of Professor Obokata in the training session underscored CAF’s significance on both national and international stages. In his End of Mission Statement, Professor Obokata praised multi-stakeholder frameworks like CAF for their tangible impact on preventing labour exploitation:
“The Special Rapporteur was encouraged by the strong presence of civil society and human rights defenders who work tirelessly to tackle contemporary forms of slavery in Australia. … It is … encouraging that many of these actors work together and implement multi-stakeholder initiatives. Examples include the Ethical Clothing Australia and the Cleaning Accountability Framework which implement voluntary certification systems with the proactive involvement of workers, trade unions and other stakeholders, making a positive impact in empowering workers and preventing their exploitation.”
This recognition reinforces CAF’s position as a leader in addressing modern slavery risks and promoting responsible practices in the cleaning industry by foregrounding the rights of cleaners.
CAF and the UN Special Rapporteur Share the Same Vision for Cleaners
The recent End of Mission Statement released at the end of the UN Special Rapporteur’s visit to Australia, on 2 December 2024, outlines recommendations aimed at addressing exploitation, particularly among vulnerable groups in Australia. Encouragingly, many of these recommendations are already being actively implemented by CAF. Below are some key areas where CAF and the Special Rapporteur’s vision align:
Empowering Workers
- Special Rapporteur’s Recommendation: Provide sufficient information to temporary migrant workers, PALM workers, in particular, in languages they understand. Involve local actors and stakeholders in this regard.
- What we’re doing at CAF: CAF places cleaners at the heart of its work, and many cleaners at CAF-Certified buildings work on temporary visas. Through our Certification model, CAF actively involves cleaners in identifying and addressing exploitation, ensuring their voices are heard. To facilitate this process we have translated materials, including our CAF Worker Survey, in languages commonly spoken by cleaners. Our worker engagement meetings are also facilitated by our worker engagement partner, United Workers Union, who possess the language expertise to carry out these meetings in cleaners’ mother tongues, including: Spanish, Nepali, and Thai. Our Worker Engagement team also have language expertise that they frequently use when liaising with cleaners and CAF representatives.
Enhancing Due Diligence and Accountability
- Special Rapporteur’s Recommendation: Amend the Modern Slavery Act to create a legal obligation on large companies to establish a due diligence mechanism.
- What we’re doing at CAF: In our submission to the Special Rapporteur, CAF similarly called out for mandatory due diligence in the Modern Slavery Act. CAF has also established a Certification mechanism that incorporates both top-down oversight and bottom-up worker verification of compliance with labour laws. This approach fills critical gaps in traditional auditing and meets the Special Rapporteur’s call for greater transparency and accountability in supply chains.
Fostering Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
- Special Rapporteur’s Recommendation: Proactively monitor the conduct of employers, labour hire companies and immigration agents through regular inspections. Strengthen the cooperation with local, state/territorial authorities, as well as civil society organisations and workers’ organisations in this regard. Smaller businesses should start sector-based collaboration in order to identify risks and take further actions to implement due diligence as appropriate.
- What we’re doing at CAF: CAF is a prime example of a successful multi-stakeholder initiative. By bringing together unions, employers, property owners, and regulators, CAF addresses systemic exploitation in the cleaning industry. This collaborative model reflects the Special Rapporteur’s vision for cross-sector partnerships to prevent and combat modern slavery effectively.
CAF’s ongoing efforts are already making a tangible impact in line with the UN Special Rapporteur’s recommendations. By focusing on worker empowerment, enhancing due diligence, and fostering collaboration, CAF is playing a key role in driving meaningful change in the cleaning industry and beyond.
Partner with CAF
As regulations around modern slavery and due diligence evolve worldwide – and with Australia’s approach set to move forward, following the appointment of a federal anti-slavery commissioner – investors and building owners are taking proactive steps by working with CAF.
By partnering with CAF, you’re not just meeting your current obligations but leading the way in protecting vulnerable workers and improving supply chain transparency. CAF Portfolio Certification, for example, provides property owners and investors with a measurable and effective assurance mechanism that assesses the procurement, management and delivery of contract cleaning services and their effect on cleaners’ working conditions at a portfolio level.
Stay ahead of the curve — work with CAF today to demonstrate your commitment to responsible practices in your cleaning supply chain.