The union’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has adopted a new ethical procurement policy.  

By adopting the policy, the union aims to ensure that companies that do business with Fórsa, by supplying goods and services, operate ethically. In practice this means not doing business with any company that might contribute to human rights abuses through their own activities.  

Deputy general secretary Katie Morgan said: "Actions speak louder than words. This new policy reinforces our commitment to aligning day-to-day decision making and spending with our values." 
 
“Fórsa is proud to lead the way among unions in Ireland by introducing this ethical procurement policy. It is one of many actions taken by our union to continue to oppose genocide and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, who continue to be shamefully subjected to human rights injustices and grotesque suffering.” 
 
The policy will be shared with companies tendering for work, and staff, divisions and branches engaging companies to provide goods and services are required to share the policy with those tendering. 

Companies may only tender for work if they ensure:

1. None of their operations violate the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights or the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on Responsible Business Conduct. 
2. During the execution of the contract, they do not work with any corporate entity (group) that operates in unlawful settlements in occupied territory, wherever they may occur, or with any corporate entity that contributes to the unlawful situation created by the presence of a foreign army in occupied territory. 
3. The company declares that it is not involved in any operations that violate the Geneva Conventions, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, or any legal opinion or jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice. 

Katie concluded: “Trade unions have a crucial role in ensuring respect for human rights by companies. This document will support these efforts in a rigorous and practical way.”  

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