SDG "Decent work and economic growth"
In Hessian: "Feddisch! Mosque is still a day"
What is it about and what does the SDG "Decent Work and Economic Growth" mean for the events industry?
SDG 8 states that sustainable and inclusive economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all should be promoted.(Source tw-media.com (opens in a new tab))
The event industry makes a significant contribution to economic growth in Germany, as it is the sixth largest economic sector. It employs around 1.5 million people and has a direct turnover of almost 130 billion euros. The main source of these high employment figures is the complexity and networking of the event industry, which draws on many economic sectors and skills to successfully plan and implement events.(Source: The overall economic importance of the event industry, R.I.F.E.L. E.V., 15.06.2020 (opens in a new tab))
The entire event industry, as well as the hospitality and tourism industry, is currently facing a severe labor shortage. Fair working conditions, fair wages, equal rights and local economic development are essential, not only to counteract this, but also to contribute to SDG 8. Sustainable practices such as environmental protection, education and social responsibility are also crucial to making a positive contribution to the event industry. Transparency and collaboration promote knowledge sharing and continuous improvement in the industry.(Source tw-media.com (opens in a new tab))
What immediate measures can event professionals take to contribute to SDG 8?
- Check supply chains: Checking supply chains for sustainability, working conditions, labor rights, fair pay and more can prevent child labor, oppression and exploitation. Fair trade and other organizations and labels can provide guidance and ensure that a sustainable economy is supported in countries of the global South.
- Inclusive employment: Event professionals can work with local non-profit organizations to create employment opportunities for disadvantaged populations during the event, whether through temporary jobs or internships.
- Promote social responsibility: e.g. through charitable projects or donations from event proceeds.
- Diversity and equality: e.g. by involving diverse groups in panel talks, from different backgrounds, including different genders to promote gender equality and diversity.
- Promote local economy: When selecting service providers and suppliers, local businesses can be prioritized to support the regional economy.
(Source: tw)
How do we implement this?
✓ Conscious selection of partners, service providers and suppliers:
- WICM GmbH awards contracts for services and products, depending on the order volume, generally via award procedures. Criteria are defined here that regulate, among other things, the fair procurement of raw materials, use of labor, etc. Our service providers (contract value over EUR 10,000) are subject to the Hessian Procurement and Collective Bargaining Act (HVTG) (opens in a new tab). Among other things, this regulates "social, ecological and innovative requirements" as well as aspects of sustainability.
✓ Commitment against corruption:
- Demanding binding commitments from bidders when awarding contracts for services and supplies
- The municipal guidelines on the acceptance of gifts are binding for our employees
✓ Participation in initiatives and networks that take into account many fair and sustainable aspects in the supply chain
- Ökoprofit (opens in a new tab)
- CSR Regio Net (opens in a new tab)
- fairpflichtet (opens in a new tab)
- Fair procurement network (opens in a new tab)
✓ Procurement of work clothing:
- When procuring workwear, we pay attention to fair production and fair materials. Some of our workwear has been awarded the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). The "GOTS" defines requirements for both environmental and working conditions in textile and clothing production that apply to the entire supply chain of products made from organically produced raw materials.(Source global-standard.org (opens in a new tab))
✓ Purchasing local or regional products and services:
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In the area of printed products, creative services, such as exhibition stand construction, furniture logistics or merchandise products (among others), we primarily work with local or regional companies in order to promote the local economy as a public sector company.
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Merchandise articles: In our Tourist Information we sell almost exclusively products from local and regional production. We organize monthly events at the Wiesbaden Tourist Information where local companies are invited to present and sell their products ("Wiesbaden meets") (opens in a new tab).
- Our partners, e.g. in event technology and catering, come from Wiesbaden or Mainz.
✓ Protection of our employees:
- We have implemented an equal opportunities officer (for 15 years), aninclusion officer and a works council in the company so that employees' rights are protected at all times and anyone can seek support in relevant areas.
- We are affiliated to the service agreement on working hours of the City of Wiesbaden (including regulation of flexitime, overtime compensation, special leave).
- Introduction of a digital tool (Delegatis) for instruction in occupational health and safety regulations.
✓ Increasing employee satisfaction through appreciative measures for a healthy work-life balance:
- Home office
- part-time
- Flexible working hours/flexitime
- Special leave for Christmas Eve/New Year's Eve/exams (trainees/students)
- Educational leave
- Annual Christmas party
- Annual summer party
- Free drinks (water/coffee/tea)
- Preventive medical check-ups and participation in the health program of the city of Wiesbaden
✓ Further training opportunities for employees:
- To maintain competitiveness and competitiveness
- For the advancement of employees
✓ Fair pay and equal treatment:
- We are affiliated to the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD) and the collective agreement for trainees in the public sector (TVAöD).
✓ Award as a family-friendly employer:
- Promotion of part-time working models: approx. 50% of employees in management positions work part-time
- Home office up to 50% possible
✓ Inclusion:
- Severely disabled persons are given preference if equally qualified. This is clearly stated in every job application.
✓ Promotion and support of social projects:
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Wiesbaden Committed Action Week: organization of the annual summer festival of the pastoral care for the disabled.
- 25-hour run organized by WISPO - Wiesbadener Sportförderung e.V.: Participation with a company running team. The participation fees and lap fees are used to promote competitive sport in the state capital of Wiesbaden.
- Sustainable projects: Participation in Earth Hour, the Germany-wide city cycling project and the Hessian Sustainability Day to support sustainable goals.
✓Cooperation with social institutions:
- z. e.g. guided tour of the Mechthildshausen domain (organic-biological farming and inclusion)
✓ Cooperation with regional institutions:
- Combining local gastronomy with city tours.
- The Museum Congress Ticket gives WICM congress participants reduced/free admission to the Wiesbaden Museum.