LOCAL government authorities are not fighting hard enough to tackle exploitation of workers internationally, Unison claims.

According to a report commissioned by Unison and released by student campaign group People and Planet today, only eight of 190 local authorities have any ethical directives.

Products procured by local authorities have complex supply chains often controlled by corporations who abuse workers’ rights and maintain a low-cost production process.

Britain’s local government sector currently invests £60 billion on goods and services, which Unison claims puts the sector in a unique position to influence employment and environmental policies internationally.

Unison head of local government Heather Wakefield said: “UK local government is in a position to influence and shape the industries they buy goods from.

“They have the opportunity to play a key role in reforming supply chains and dramatically improving the lives of workers across the world.

“Ethical procurement practices in local authorities remain in the early stages and lack clear and effective polices for addressing violations of human rights. This needs to change.”

People and Planet campaigns and movement building co-ordinator Annie Pickering said: “Other UK public institutions, like universities, are taking action on sweatshops in their supply chains. Local government has the potential to do the same.”