EHSH Rules in World Bank Procurement
The World Bank has revised its Standard Procurement Documents and incorporated changes to enhance Environmental, Social, Health and Safety (ESHS) performance. The Works’ Requirements shall now include ESHS requirements to be satisfied by the Contractor in executing the Works.
In December 2015, the World Bank cancelled its funding to the Uganda Transport Sector Development Project (TSDP) due to contractual breaches related to workers’ issues, social and environmental concerns, poor project performance, and serious allegations of sexual misconduct by the contractor. The lessons learned from the project were implemented already twelve months later.
World Bank Environmental, Social and Health and Safety Enhancements
The World Bank introduced Environmental, Social, Health and Safety (ESHS) enhancements to its Standard Procurement/Bidding Document which include the following:
Declaration of contract suspension or termination
Strengthened specifications/employer's requirements
Workers' ESHS Code of Conduct
Contractor's ESHS Management Strategy and Implementation Plans
ESHS Performance Security
ESHS Provisional Sum
Key ESHS Personnel
ESHS considerations during contract variation
Ability to withhold interim payment(s)
EIC Response to ESHS Enhancements
EIC jointly with CICA supports the Bank’s measures to enhance project performance and outcomes through increased focus on ESHS and recommends that the corresponding references presented by the competitors must be validated by experienced and indisputable consultants in order to become effective. The World Bank could also make better use of the ISO 26000 on Social Responsibility which has been developed to help business and organisations to effectively assess and address those social responsibilities that are relevant and significant to their operations and processes, customers, employees and other stakeholders.
Moreover, the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work should be incorporated in the new policy. It commits Member States to respect and promote principles and rights in four categories, whether or not they have ratified the relevant Conventions. These categories are: freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced or compulsory labour, the abolition of child labour and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation
Link: CICA-EIC Letter to World Bank on ESHS