Institute of Contemporary Observation
Encyclopedia
The Institute of Contemporary Observation (Simplified Chinese: 深圳当代社会观察研究所), founded on March. 18th, 2001, is a stellar Chinese NGO committed to labor rights
development and Corporate Social Responsibility
. It endeavors to promote the sustainable development in China through research, labor rights advocacy, social responsibility consultation, education and training, legal aid, community service, etc.
ICO adheres to principles of justice, independence and professionalism. It monitors laborer's living conditions and development and attempts to improve labor rights, promote the development of public policy and law, foster civil power for development, advance commerce, improve labor and capital relations and advance the harmonious development of society and economy. At the same time, ICO works with multinational corporations (MNC), international organizations and local institutions intimately to help MNCs enforce international labor standards within their supply-chain factories and to help them build more competitive business solutions.
ICO’s work can be mainly divided into three areas: civil think tank
, professional consultation and education and training.
, International Labor Organization and Oxfam International on research about the Corporate Social Responsibility situation in China. Its own publication includes “migrant workers
in South China” (边缘人), “Multinational Corporate Social Responsibility and the Chinese Society” ( 跨国公司社会责任和中国社会), “The Price of One’s Body: A study of workplace injury compensation in China”( 身体的价格－中国工伤索赔研究), “A Social Structure of Lost Entitlements” ( 权利失落的社会结构). ICO also has its own labor research newsletter, FORUM.
Besides publications, ICO also tries to influence the decision-makers through instigating public debates. During 2003–2006, ICO has successfully initiated the media discussions about “Labor Shortage”, “Corporate Social Responsibility”, “New Generation Migrant Workers” and “ Minimum Wage
Standards”. Three annual conferences advocating decent work
and labor rights were also organized by ICO during 2004 to 2006.
, Nike, Inc.
, Reebok
Inc, Adidas
AG, Fuji-Xerox, Mizuno
and many others.
In 2004, UC Berkeley and ICO co-founded the Migrant Worker’s Community College. Its training mission is based on the old Chinese saying: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”. Although the college was closed down in 2007 due to registration difficulties with the Chinese government, it has benefited more than 10,000 migrant workers during its short lives. Today, ICO still provides legal aid, psychological advices and emergency assistances through its “Worker’s Hotline” and “Migrant Workers Support Center”.
” in China, co-organized by the Economic Observer and Shell Group.
Labor rights
Labor rights or workers' rights are a group of legal rights and claimed human rights having to do with labor relations between workers and their employers, usually obtained under labor and employment law. In general, these rights' debates have to do with negotiating workers' pay, benefits, and safe...
development and Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business model...
. It endeavors to promote the sustainable development in China through research, labor rights advocacy, social responsibility consultation, education and training, legal aid, community service, etc.
ICO adheres to principles of justice, independence and professionalism. It monitors laborer's living conditions and development and attempts to improve labor rights, promote the development of public policy and law, foster civil power for development, advance commerce, improve labor and capital relations and advance the harmonious development of society and economy. At the same time, ICO works with multinational corporations (MNC), international organizations and local institutions intimately to help MNCs enforce international labor standards within their supply-chain factories and to help them build more competitive business solutions.
ICO’s work can be mainly divided into three areas: civil think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
, professional consultation and education and training.
Civil Think Tank
Since its establishment, ICO has corroborated with many international organizations, such as the World BankWorld Bank
The World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to developing countries for capital programmes.The World Bank's official goal is the reduction of poverty...
, International Labor Organization and Oxfam International on research about the Corporate Social Responsibility situation in China. Its own publication includes “migrant workers
Migrant worker
The term migrant worker has different official meanings and connotations in different parts of the world. The United Nations' definition is broad, including any people working outside of their home country...
in South China” (边缘人), “Multinational Corporate Social Responsibility and the Chinese Society” ( 跨国公司社会责任和中国社会), “The Price of One’s Body: A study of workplace injury compensation in China”( 身体的价格－中国工伤索赔研究), “A Social Structure of Lost Entitlements” ( 权利失落的社会结构). ICO also has its own labor research newsletter, FORUM.
Besides publications, ICO also tries to influence the decision-makers through instigating public debates. During 2003–2006, ICO has successfully initiated the media discussions about “Labor Shortage”, “Corporate Social Responsibility”, “New Generation Migrant Workers” and “ Minimum Wage
Minimum wage
A minimum wage is the lowest hourly, daily or monthly remuneration that employers may legally pay to workers. Equivalently, it is the lowest wage at which workers may sell their labour. Although minimum wage laws are in effect in a great many jurisdictions, there are differences of opinion about...
Standards”. Three annual conferences advocating decent work
Decent work
Decent work is the availability of employment in conditions of freedom, equity, human security and dignity.According to the International Labour Organization ILO, Decent Work involves opportunities for work that is productive and delivers a fair income, security in the workplace and social...
and labor rights were also organized by ICO during 2004 to 2006.
Professional Consultation
As one of the pioneers to promote Corporate Social Responsibility in China, ICO has been trusted by many multi-national corporations to conduct social risk assessments in their Chinese supply-chain factories. ICO’s past clients include BurberryBurberry
Burberry Group plc is a British luxury fashion house, manufacturing clothing, fragrance, and fashion accessories. Its distinctive tartan pattern has become one of its most widely copied trademarks. Burberry is most famous for its iconic trench coat, which was invented by founder Thomas Burberry...
, Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc.
Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area...
, Reebok
Reebok
Reebok International Limited, a subsidiary of the German sportswear company Adidas since 2005, is a producer of Athletic shoes, apparel, and accessories. The name comes from the Afrikaans spelling of rhebok, a type of African antelope or gazelle...
Inc, Adidas
Adidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
AG, Fuji-Xerox, Mizuno
Mizuno
Mizuno may refer to:* Mizuno Corp., a Japanese sportswear and sports equipment manufacturer* Mizuno , a political family in Japanese history* Mizuno , a World War II aircraft manufacturer, see also Mizuno Shinryu...
and many others.
Education and Training
ICO carries out various training programs both within communities and for corporations. It has provided management capacity building training programs in corporations like NIKE, Dupond, Burberry, Fuji Xerox, Perlos and Stella international.In 2004, UC Berkeley and ICO co-founded the Migrant Worker’s Community College. Its training mission is based on the old Chinese saying: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”. Although the college was closed down in 2007 due to registration difficulties with the Chinese government, it has benefited more than 10,000 migrant workers during its short lives. Today, ICO still provides legal aid, psychological advices and emergency assistances through its “Worker’s Hotline” and “Migrant Workers Support Center”.
Honors and awards
ICO received the “ Best Organization for Public Good” award from the South Window Magazine (南风窗)in 2003. And in 2005, ICO was named as one of the “Top Ten Excellent Cases on Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable development
Sustainable development is a pattern of resource use, that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come...
” in China, co-organized by the Economic Observer and Shell Group.