November 1, 2017

DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

Guidance Note for ESS2
Labor and Working Conditions

The Guidance Notes provide guidance for the Borrower on the application of the Environmental
and Social Standards (ESSs), which form part of the World Bank’s 2016 Environmental and Social

ESS2
Framework. The Guidance Notes help to explain the requirements of the ESSs; they are not Bank
policy, nor are they mandatory. The Guidance Notes do not substitute for the need to exercise
sound judgment in making project decisions. In case of any inconsistency or conflict between the
Guidance Notes and the ESSs, the provisions of the ESSs prevail. Each paragraph of the Standard
is highlighted in a box, followed by the corresponding guidance.

Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 2
Scope of Application ...................................................................................................................................... 2
Requirements ................................................................................................................................................. 6
A. Working Conditions and Management of Worker Relationships .............................................................. 6
Terms and Conditions of Employment........................................................................................................... 7
Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity................................................................................................... 9
Worker’s Organizations................................................................................................................................ 11
B. Protecting the Work Force ....................................................................................................................... 12
Child Labor and Minimum Age ..................................................................................................................... 12
Forced Labor ................................................................................................................................................ 14
C. Grievance Mechanism.............................................................................................................................. 14
D. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) .................................................................................................... 16
E. Contracted Workers ................................................................................................................................. 19
F. Community Workers ................................................................................................................................ 21
G. Primary Supply Workers .......................................................................................................................... 23

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Guidance Note for ESS2
Labor and Working Conditions

Introduction

ESS2
1. ESS2 recognizes the importance of employment creation and income generation in the pursuit of poverty
reduction and inclusive economic growth. Borrowers can promote sound worker management relationships and
enhance the development benefits of a project by treating workers in the project fairly and providing safe and
healthy working conditions.

Objectives

• To promote safety and health at work.

• To promote the fair treatment, non-discrimination and equal opportunity of project workers.
• To protect project workers, including vulnerable workers such as women, persons with disabilities, children
(of working age, in accordance with this ESS) and migrant workers, contracted workers, community
workers and primary supply workers, as appropriate.
• To prevent the use of all forms of forced labor and child labor.1
• To support the principles of freedom of association and collective bargaining of project workers in a
manner consistent with national law.
• To provide project workers with accessible means to raise workplace concerns.
Footnote 1. Paragraphs 17 to 19 specify the circumstances in which a child may be employed or engaged in
connection with a project.

Scope of Application

2. The applicability of ESS2 is established during the environmental and social assessment described in ESS1. 2
Footnote 2. In conducting the environmental and social assessment and depending on the significance of the
potential issues in the project relating to labor and working conditions, the views of representative workers’ and
employers’ organizations may be sought.

GN2.1. Application of ESS2 promotes the implementation of a systematic approach to improving the
management of risks and impacts related to labor and working conditions in projects. The environmental
and social assessment identifies the ways in which national law and the requirements of ESS2 are applied
to the project.

GN2.2. ESS2 is in part informed by several International Labour Organization (ILO) and United Nations
(UN) Conventions. These include:

• ILO Convention 87 on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize

• ILO Convention 98 on the Right to Organize and Collective Bargaining
• ILO Convention 29 on Forced Labor
• ILO Convention 105 on the Abolition of Forced Labor
• ILO Convention 138 on Minimum Age (of Employment)
• ILO Convention 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labor
• ILO Convention 100 on Equal Remuneration

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Guidance Note for ESS2
Labor and Working Conditions

• ILO Convention 111 on Discrimination (Employment and Occupation).

ESS2
Many of these conventions and other international instruments are incorporated into the national law of
ratifying countries.

GN2.3 (Footnote 2). As discussed in Footnote 2 of ESS2, engaging with project workers and their
representatives on labor issues, including with representatives of workers’ organizations where they exist,
helps inform the assessment of labor risks and impacts, by providing useful context and additional
information. Depending on the project, engagement may also include workers’ organizations at a global,
national or sector level, and labor inspectorates.

3. The scope of application of ESS2 depends on the type of employment relationship between the Borrower
and the project workers. The term “project worker” refers to:
(a) people employed or engaged directly by the Borrower (including the project proponent and the
project implementing agencies) to work specifically in relation to the project (direct workers);
(b) people employed or engaged through third parties 3 to perform work related to core functions4
of the project, regardless of location (contracted workers);
(c) people employed or engaged by the Borrower’s primary suppliers 5 (primary supply workers);
(d) people employed or engaged in providing community labor6 (community workers).
ESS2 applies to project workers including full-time, part-time, temporary, seasonal and migrant workers.7
Footnote 3. ‘Third parties’ may include contractors, subcontractors, brokers, agents or intermediaries.
Footnote 4. ‘Core functions’ of a project constitute those production and/or service processes essential for a specific
project activity without which the project cannot continue.
Footnote 5. ‘Primary suppliers’ are those suppliers who, on an ongoing basis, provide directly to the project goods
or materials essential for the core functions of the project.
Footnote 6. See paragraph 34
Footnote 7. ‘Migrant workers’ are workers who have migrated from one country to another or from one part of the
country to another for purposes of employment.

GN3.1. Project workers can be engaged in many different ways. It is important to identify the different
types of workers that may be engaged in the project and describe them in the labor management
procedures that are prepared for the project (see Paragraph 9 of ESS2), together with the way in which the
ESS2 requirements apply to each type of project worker. The four categories of project workers referred
to in Paragraph 3 of ESS2 recognize the differing degrees of control and influence that a Borrower may
have over the working conditions and treatment of different types of project workers. The requirements
under ESS2 are different depending on the type of project worker involved.

GN3.2. Identifying the nature of the employment relationships with project workers is important for
categorizing workers appropriately. Determining the existence of an employment relationship is guided
primarily by the facts relating to performance and organization of the work and the type of workers’
remuneration.

GN3.3. Several indicators may be considered in determining whether and between which parties an
employment relationship exists; these may include the following:

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Labor and Working Conditions

(a) Organization of the work. Whether work:

ESS2
• is carried out according to the instructions and under the control of the Borrower or
another party;
• involves the integration of the worker in the organization of the borrower (or the entity
involved in implementing the project, such as the project implementation unit);
• is performed solely or mainly for the benefit of the Borrower or another party;
• must be carried out personally by the worker;
• is carried out within specific working hours or at a workplace specified or agreed by the
Borrower or another party requesting the work;
• is of a particular duration and has a certain continuity;
• requires the worker’s availability; or
• involves the provision of tools, materials and machinery by the party requesting the
work.

(b) Remuneration and other benefits, which may include:

• periodic payment of remuneration to the worker;
• the fact that such remuneration constitutes the worker’s sole or principal source of
income;
• provision of payment in kind, such as food, lodging or transport;
• recognition of entitlements such as weekly rest and annual holidays;
• payment by the party requesting the work for travel undertaken by the worker to carry
out the work; or
• absence of financial risk for the worker.

GN3.4. Contractual arrangements, particularly those involving multiple parties, should be clear as to which
party is responsible for ensuring that the requirements of ESS2 are met for each type of project worker.
This is particularly important where several different parties are involved in implementing the project. For
example, the construction of a large infrastructure project may include a main contractor, several
subcontractors, representatives of the Borrower, and various engineers.

GN3.5 (Footnote 3). A range of third parties may be used to source or provide labor for a project. It is
important to understand the nature of the relationship between the third party and the project worker to
decide how the requirements of ESS2 apply to the worker. In some circumstances, even where the worker
is engaged on the project long term, the control and legal responsibility for the worker remains with the
third party. In such circumstances, the worker is a “contracted worker” for the purposes of ESS2, and the
responsibilities of the Borrower are as set out in Section E (Paragraphs 31-33) of ESS2. This is the case, for
example, where a contractor brings its own workforce to work on a project. In other circumstances, the
third party may source and recruit the worker on behalf of the Borrower (or the entity involved in
implementing the project, such as the project implementation unit). In these circumstances, such workers
are “direct workers” for the purposes of ESS2. This is the case, for example, where a labor broker or agent
acts as an intermediary for the placement and recruitment of workers in one country to be employed on
a project in another country.

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Guidance Note for ESS2
Labor and Working Conditions

Direct Workers
4. The requirements of paragraphs 9 to 30 of this ESS will apply to direct workers.

ESS2
GN4.1. A “direct worker” is a worker with whom the Borrower has a directly contracted employment
relationship and specific control over the work, working conditions and treatment of the project worker.
The worker is employed or engaged by the Borrower, paid directly by the Borrower and subject to the
Borrower’s day-to-day instruction and control. Examples of direct workers may include persons employed
by the Borrower’s project implementation unit to carry out design and supervision, monitoring and
evaluation, or community engagement in relation to the project.

Contracted Workers
5. The requirements of paragraphs 9 to 33 of this ESS will apply to contracted workers, as specified in Section
E.

GN5.1. A “contracted worker” is a worker employed or engaged by a third party to perform work or
provide services that are essential for the core function of the project, where the third party exercises
control over the work, working conditions and treatment of the person. In such circumstances, the
employment relationship is between the third party and the project worker, even if the project worker is
working on an ongoing basis on project activities.

Community Workers
6. The requirements of paragraphs 34 to 38 of this ESS will apply to community workers, as specified in
Section F.

Primary Supply Workers

7. The requirements of paragraphs 39 to 42 of this ESS will apply to primary supply workers, as specified in
Section G.

GN7.1. A “primary supply worker” is a worker employed or engaged by a primary supplier, providing goods
and materials to the project, over which a primary supplier exercises control over the work, working
conditions and treatment of the person. Footnote 5 of ESS2 sets out the definition of a “primary supplier.”
As part of the definition, there is a requirement that the goods or materials be provided directly to the
project for its core functions on an ongoing basis. This means that second, third and further levels of the
supply chain (sometimes referred to as Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers) are not covered by ESS2. See also ESS1
for discussion of what constitutes a primary supplier.

8. Where government civil servants are working in connection with the project, whether full-time or part-
time, they will remain subject to the terms and conditions of their existing public sector employment agreement
or arrangement, unless there has been an effective legal transfer of their employment or engagement to the
project.8 ESS2 will not apply to such government civil servants, except for the provisions of paragraphs 17 to 20
(Protecting the Work Force) and paragraphs 24 to 30 (Occupational Health and Safety).
Footnote 8. Such transfer will be conducted in accordance with all legal requirements and transferred workers will
be subject to all requirements of this ESS.

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Labor and Working Conditions

GN8.1. ESS2 does not seek to interfere in the relationship between the Government and its civil service
employees, who are normally employed under specific terms and conditions that may reflect mandatory

ESS2
legal requirements. While government civil servants may work on the project, for example, in the project
implementing unit or project management office, their status as government civil servants is not affected.

GN8.2. In the case of an effective legal transfer of employment or engagement of a government civil
servant to the project or of a government civil servant who takes a formal unpaid leave of absence to work
on the project, ESS2 applies. In these cases, for purposes of the project, workers are no longer subject to
the legal requirements relating to civil servants, and are instead employed directly by the project and
subject to the provisions of ESS2 relating to direct workers.

GN8.3. There may be situations in which government civil servants have no employment relationship with
the project, but are involved in project activities in their governmental capacity. For example, they may
be involved in training activities, such as teachers in education sector projects, or health care service
providers in health sector projects. While ESS2 does not apply to such persons, the potential risks and
impacts of the project to such persons should be assessed in accordance with ESS1, including any
occupational and health and safety considerations.

Requirements

A. Working Conditions and Management of Worker Relationships

9. The Borrower will develop and implement written labor management procedures applicable to the
project. These procedures will set out the way in which project workers will be managed, in accordance with the
requirements of national law and this ESS. 9 The procedures will address the way in which this ESS will apply to
different categories of project workers, including direct workers, and the way in which the Borrower will require
third parties to manage their workers in accordance with paragraphs 31-33.
Footnote 9. To the extent that provisions of national law are relevant to project activities and satisfy the
requirements of this ESS, the Borrower will not be required to duplicate such provisions in labor management
procedures.

GN9.1. The purpose of the labor management procedures is to facilitate planning for the project and help
identify the resources necessary to address the labor issues associated with the project. The labor
management procedures help to (a) identify the different types of project workers that are likely to be
involved in the project, and (b) set out the ways of meeting the requirements of ESS2 that apply to the
different types of workers.

GN9.2. Where project workers are employed or engaged by different parties, the labor management
procedures set out the responsibilities of the Borrower in relation to each category of project worker,
identifying the way in which different parties will meet with the requirements on labor and working
conditions set out in ESS2.

GN9.3. The labor management procedures set out a systematic approach to the management of labor
issues in the project and reflect the requirements of national law, applicable collective agreements and

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requirements of ESS2. The amount of detail set out in the procedures reflects the type of project, the type,
size and location of the workforce, and the extent to which national law satisfies the requirements of ESS2.

ESS2
It is good practice to review and update the labor management procedures as needed during the
preparation and implementation of the project. The labor management procedures may be prepared as a
stand-alone document, or form part of other environmental and social management documents.

GN9.4. Where relevant in the context of the project and the potential risks and impacts, the labor
management procedures may contain measures to address risks that may arise from interaction between
project workers and local communities. These may include measures to raise awareness of such risks,
communicate expectations regarding appropriate conduct, together with disciplinary measures, and
depending on the nature of the project, adoption of a formal code of conduct. For additional guidance,
see Guidance Note on Managing Risks Related to Labor Influx on the World Bank’s website.

GN9.5. Where national law requires the collection and retention of information about project workers,
this is included in the labor management procedures, with an explanation of the type of information that
is collected.

GN9.6 (Footnote 9). In many countries, particularly those that have ratified conventions and other
international instruments relating to labor and working conditions, national law reflects many of the
requirements of ESS2. Where this is the case, the labor management procedures refer to the relevant
national law provisions. Further, ESS2 does not preclude provision of higher levels of protection for
workers in countries where such protections are set out in national law. It is important to review national
laws applicable to the project periodically to ensure that they continue to satisfy the relevant ESS2
requirements (both with respect to substance and implementation). The labor management procedures
are amended or updated as necessary, if national laws change.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

10. Project workers will be provided with information and documentation that is clear and understandable
regarding their terms and conditions of employment. The information and documentation will set out their rights
under national labor and employment law (which will include any applicable collective agreements), including their
rights related to hours of work, wages, overtime, compensation and benefits, as well as those arising from the
requirements of this ESS. This information and documentation will be provided at the beginning of the working
relationship and when any material changes to the terms or conditions of employment occur.

GN10.1. Documentation should be appropriate and relevant to the length and nature of the employment
or engagement. For example, a public notice of the job to be done, the number of hours, pay, and other
key terms and working conditions may be adequate for seasonal project workers provided copies of such
information are available at the request of the project workers. For longer-term employment, the material
terms of the employment relationship are documented in more detail, and a copy of the documentation
(for example, the signed contract) should be provided to the project worker. In many countries, individual
contracts are a legal requirement.

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GN10.2. Information provided to workers at the start of employment is normally covered by relevant
provisions of national law. Documents and contracts include information on the following, as appropriate:

ESS2
• the name and legal domicile of the employer;
• the worker’s name;
• the worker’s job title;
• the date employment began;
• where the employment is not permanent, the anticipated duration of the contract;
• the place of work or, where the work is mobile, the main location;
• housing provisions and payment required, if any;
• provisions regarding food and payment required, if any;
• hours of work, rest breaks, leave entitlements and other related matters;
• rules relating to overtime and overtime compensation;
• the levels and rules relating to the calculation of salary, wages and other benefits, including any
rules related to timing of payment and deductions;
• the pension and other welfare arrangements applicable to the worker;
• the length of notice which the worker can expect to give and receive on termination of
employment;
• the disciplinary procedures that are applicable to the worker, including details of representation
available to the worker and any appeals mechanism;
• details of grievance procedures, including the person to whom grievances should be addressed;
and
• any collective bargaining arrangements that apply to the worker.

GN10.3. In addition to documentation, oral communication and explanation of working conditions and
terms of employment will be appropriate where project workers do not read or have difficulties
understanding the documentation, or where the documentation is in an unfamiliar language to workers,
for example migrant workers. In such cases, a summary of key terms and conditions in a language
understandable to the workers is provided. Where there is a collective agreement that applies to the
project workers, that information is communicated to them as well. Documentation regarding such
communication and explanation, for example, through records of meetings held or notices placed on a
workers’ bulletin board should be retained.

GN10.4. The working conditions and terms of employment of migrant workers (domestic or foreign)
should be the same or substantially equivalent to those of non-migrant project workers performing the
same type of work. This applies to migrant project workers employed or engaged directly by the Borrower
or through a third party. Such terms include, for example, remuneration, overtime, hours of work, weekly
rest, holidays with pay, safety, health, termination of the employment relationship and any other relevant
conditions of work. Other terms of employment include requirements to protect the workforce, as set out
in Section B below.

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11. Project workers will be paid on a regular basis as required by national law and labor management
procedures. Deductions from payment of wages will only be made as allowed by national law or the labor

ESS2
management procedures, and project workers will be informed of the conditions under which such deductions will
be made. Project workers will be provided with adequate periods of rest per week, annual holiday and sick,
maternity and family leave, as required by national law and labor management procedures.

GN11.1. In circumstances where national law does not mandate periods of rest, annual holiday, sick,
maternity or family leave for specific types of employment, the Borrower should consider providing such
periods of rest and leave, taking into account the type and duration of the employment, and the scope,
risks and impacts of the project. Where provided, these conditions should be included in the labor
management procedures.

12. Where required by national law or the labor management procedures, project workers will receive written
notice of termination of employment and details of severance payments in a timely manner.10 All wages that have
been earned, social security benefits, pension contributions and any other entitlements will be paid on or before
termination of the working relationship, either directly to the project workers or where appropriate, for the benefit
of the project workers. Where payments are made for the benefit of project workers, project workers will be
provided with evidence of such payments.
Footnote 10. Entitlement to such payments will depend on the nature of the employment relationship, including
whether the project workers are employed on a fixed term contract, or are full-time, part-time, temporary or
seasonal.

GN12.1. Where national law mandates the transfer of certain payments to specific third parties for the
benefit of the worker (for example, government agencies or institutions such as a pension fund
administration or health funds), the worker is provided with written evidence of such payment.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity

13. Decisions relating to the employment or treatment of project workers will not be made on the basis of
personal characteristics unrelated to inherent job requirements. The employment of project workers will be based
on the principle of equal opportunity and fair treatment, and there will be no discrimination with respect to any
aspects of the employment relationship, such as recruitment and hiring, compensation (including wages and
benefits), working conditions and terms of employment,11 access to training, job assignment, promotion,
termination of employment or retirement, or disciplinary practices. The labor management procedures will set out
measures to prevent and address harassment, intimidation and/or exploitation. Where national law is inconsistent
with this paragraph, the project will seek to carry out project activities in a manner that is consistent with the
requirements of this paragraph to the extent possible.
Footnote 11. The Borrower will consider, to the extent technically and financially feasible, reasonable measures to
adapt the workplace in relation to project workers with disabilities.

GN13.1. Discrimination in employment as it relates to project workers is any distinction, exclusion, or

preference with respect to recruitment, hiring, termination of employment, working conditions, or terms
of employment made on the basis of personal characteristics unrelated to inherent work requirements
that nullify or impair equality of opportunity or treatment in employment. Inherent work requirements
refer to genuine occupational qualifications that are necessary to perform the work.

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GN13.2. Equal opportunity is the principle of basing all employment decisions, such as hiring and

ESS2
promotion, on the ability of a person to perform the work, without regard to personal characteristics that
are unrelated to the inherent work requirements.

GN13.3. The extent to which national provisions support implementation in the project of the principles
of equal opportunity and fair treatment is assessed by the Borrower in developing the project’s labor
management procedures. Where the national law is inconsistent with the requirements set out in
Paragraph 13 of ESS2, the aim is to support the application of such principles in the project to the extent
possible.

GN13.4. Discrimination can occur in the work place in various ways. For example, recruitment of new
project workers may impose requirements that are not necessary for a job but may result in excluding a
specific group. It can relate to decisions on how much to pay a project worker, for example, a female or
migrant project worker. Discrimination can also occur in training and development, where selection may
be based on criteria that are discriminatory. It can relate to termination of employment, where a specific
group may be disproportionately affected, for example, based on considerations relating to age or gender.
Finally, it can arise with respect to inappropriate treatment or harassment of project workers related, for
example, to gender, age, disability, ethnicity or religion.

GN13.5. The Borrower identifies measures that support equal opportunities for women and men, with
emphasis on equal criteria for selection, remuneration and promotion, and equal application of those
criteria. There should be measures to prevent harassment of project workers, including sexual harassment,
in the workplace. If migrant workers are engaged by the project, to the Borrower implements appropriate
measures to prevent any discriminatory treatment of them.

GN13.6 (Footnote 11). Measures that address working conditions, accessibility of the built environment
and information communication for project workers with disabilities include, for example, the provision
of wheelchair ramps or elevators, or alternative formats of communication, such as large print, Braille,
accessible digital formats or audio tape. Specific project measures are included in the labor management
procedures. It is important to make information about the measures available to disabled workers.

14. Special measures of protection and assistance to remedy discrimination or selection for a particular job
based on the inherent requirements of the job or the objectives of the project 12 will not be deemed as
discrimination, provided they are consistent with national law.
Footnote 12. For example, where the project or a component of the project is designed to target a specific group
or set of individuals, such as in projects with a local hiring requirement, social safety net projects or work for peace
projects. This may also include positive affirmative measures as required by national law.

GN 14.1. Where allowed by national law, the Borrower may implement specific measures that provide for
preferential treatment of individuals or groups of project workers who have been the subject of prior
discrimination or disadvantage. Such measures could include training, management schemes, targeted
outreach for recruitment or financial assistance for specific individuals or groups.

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15. The Borrower will provide appropriate measures of protection and assistance to address the vulnerabilities
of project workers, including specific groups of workers, such as women, people with disabilities, migrant workers

ESS2
and children (of working age in accordance with this ESS). Such measures may be necessary only for specific
periods of time, depending on the circumstances of the project worker and the nature of the vulnerability.

GN15.1. Many project workers are able to undertake different kinds of employment regardless of specific
vulnerabilities, but there may be circumstances where measures may need to be taken to provide
protection and assistance, for example for women while they are pregnant. It is important that women
be protected from dismissal and other forms of prejudice in employment on the grounds of pregnancy,
maternity leave or marital status.

GN15.2. People with defined disabilities may require particular adjustments. When considering changes
to physical aspects of the workplace, the extent and cost of such changes are important factors in
determining the suitability and reasonableness of proposed measures, compared to the degree of the
discrimination that may otherwise affect project workers. Appropriate expertise may help to identify
measures that minimize cost or disruption while still meeting the objectives of access or protection.

Worker’s Organizations

16. In countries where national law recognizes workers’ rights to form and to join workers’ organizations of
their choosing and to bargain collectively without interference, the project will be implemented in accordance with
national law. In such circumstances, the role of legally established workers’ organizations and legitimate workers’
representatives will be respected, and they will be provided with information needed for meaningful negotiation in
a timely manner. Where national law restricts workers’ organizations, the project will not restrict project workers
from developing alternative mechanisms to express their grievances and protect their rights regarding working
conditions and terms of employment. The Borrower should not seek to influence or control these alternative
mechanisms. The Borrower will not discriminate or retaliate against project workers who participate, or seek to
participate, in such workers’ organizations and collective bargaining or alternative mechanisms.

GN16.1. In many countries workers have the legal right to form unions or other workers’ organizations of
their own choosing and to bargain collectively with their employers. National laws often reflect a number
of international agreements that recognize and protect these rights.

GN16.2. A workers’ organization is any organization of workers for the purpose of furthering and
defending their interests, in particular with regard to working conditions and terms of employment.
Workers’ organizations can be called by different terms in different countries, for example, trade unions,
labor unions or workers’ associations. They are usually formed and organized by workers, and should
operate without outside control or interference. Workers’ organizations should be representative of the
work force and operate pursuant to the principles of fair and reasonable representation of workers and
their interests in the context of the project.

GN16.3. Collective bargaining consists of discussions and negotiations between employers, employers’
organizations and workers’ organizations for the purpose of determining working conditions and terms of
employment by joint agreement. It also includes instructions on the implementation and administration

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of any agreements that may result from collective bargaining and the resolution of other issues and
grievances that arise in the employment relationship with respect to workers represented by the workers’

ESS2
organization. Collective bargaining can take place in different ways, depending on the country. Many
countries have multi-level bargaining systems, which might include project, company and sectoral levels.

GN16.4. Where workers’ freedom of association and/or collective bargaining are prohibited or restricted
under national law, the Borrower and third parties should engage with workers to address relevant issues
relating to their working conditions and terms of employment. Alternative mechanisms may include
recognizing worker committees, and allowing workers to choose their own representatives for dialogue
and negotiation on terms and conditions of employment in a manner that does not contravene national
law.

GN16.5. Where national law recognizes the worker’s rights to form and workers’ organizations of their
choosing, project workers should not be discouraged from, or discriminated or retaliated against, for
forming or joining (or attempting to form or join) such organizations. Where national law restricts such
organizations, project workers should not be discouraged from, discouraged from, or discriminated or
retaliated against, for developing and participating in alternative mechanisms referred to in paragraph 16
of ESS2. Examples of discrimination or retaliation against workers who participate, or seek to participate,
in workers’ organizations and collective bargaining or alternative mechanisms include an employer’s
refusal to hire project workers who have been members or leaders of workers’ organizations at other
firms (for reasons unrelated to qualifications or job performance); dismissing, demoting or re-assigning
such project workers, or outsourcing or modifying the delivery of work, in response to worker
organizational activities.

B. Protecting the Work Force

Child Labor and Minimum Age

17. A child under the minimum age established in accordance with this paragraph will not be employed or
engaged in connection with the project. The labor management procedures will specify the minimum age for
employment or engagement in connection with the project, which will be the age of 14 unless national law specifies
a higher age.

GN17.1. With regard to risks relating to child labor, the environmental and social assessment considers
any inherent risks within the country, the region, the sector or industry in which the project is developed.
See also GN39.1.

GN17.2. The project’s labor management procedures specify the minimum age for employment or
engagement in connection with the project as the age specified in law or the age of 14, whichever is higher,
and include measures to prevent employing or engaging children under this age. Documentation and
verification of age are important steps in preventing employment or engagement of child labor and, as
appropriate to the project circumstances, may include the following, which are undertaken prior to the
employment or engagement of a project worker and kept on file:

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• obtaining written confirmation from the applicant of their age; and

ESS2
• where there is any reasonable doubt as to the age of the applicant, requesting and reviewing
available documents to verify age (such as a birth certificate, national identification card, medical,
school record, or other document or community verification demonstrating age).

GN17.3. If a child under the minimum age is discovered working on the project, measures will be taken to
terminate the employment or engagement of the child in a responsible manner. Such measures will be
outlined in labor management procedures.

18. A child over the minimum age and under the age of 18 may be employed or engaged in connection with
the project only under the following specific conditions:
(a) the work does not fall within paragraph 19 below;
(b) an appropriate risk assessment is conducted prior to the work commencing; and
(c) the Borrower conducts regular monitoring of health, working conditions, hours of work and the
other requirements of this ESS.

GN.18.1. To support monitoring, a separate record of all project workers over the minimum age and under
18 should be created and maintained. This record may include details of their enrolment in school or
vocational training programs.

19. A child over the minimum age and under the age of 18 will not be employed or engaged in connection
with the project in a manner that is likely to be hazardous13 or interfere with the child’s education or be harmful to
the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.
Footnote 13. Work considered hazardous for children is work that, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is
carried out, is likely to jeopardize the health, safety, or morals of children. Examples of hazardous work activities
prohibited for children include work: (a) with exposure to physical, psychological or sexual abuse; (b) underground,
underwater, working at heights or in confined spaces; (c) with dangerous machinery, equipment or tools, or
involving handling or transport of heavy loads; (d) in unhealthy environments exposing children to hazardous
substances, agents, or processes, or to temperatures, noise or vibration damaging to health; or (e) under difficult
conditions such as work for long hours, during the night or in confinement on the premises of the employer.

GN19.1. In paragraph 19 of ESS2, the reference to a child’s education is to compulsory education under
national law. The reference to the child’s health includes consideration of the child’s safety.

GN19.2. If a child between the minimum age and 18 years old is working in the project in a manner that
is likely to be hazardous, a first step is to consider whether the hazard can be removed. If this is not
possible, the child is removed in a responsible manner and, if possible, transferred to an alternative
position for which a risk assessment has been undertaken, as required by Paragraph 18 of ESS2. Where
no such alternatives are possible, the project no longer employs or engages the child.

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Forced Labor

ESS2
20. Forced labor, which consists of any work or service not voluntarily 14 performed that is exacted from an
individual under threat of force or penalty, will not be used in connection with the project. This prohibition covers
any kind of involuntary or compulsory labor, such as indentured labor, bonded labor, or similar labor-contracting
arrangements. No trafficked persons will be employed in connection with the project. 15
Footnote 14. Work is on a voluntary basis when it is done with the free and informed consent of a worker. Such
consent must exist throughout the employment relationship and the worker must have the possibility to revoke
freely given consent. In particular, there can be no “voluntary offer” under threat or other circumstances of
restriction or deceit. To assess the authenticity of a free and informed consent, it is necessary to ensure that no
external constraint or indirect coercion has been carried out, either by an act of the authorities or by an employer’s
practice.
Footnote 15. Trafficking in persons is defined as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of
persons by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of
power, or of a position of vulnerability, or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent
of a person having control over another person, for the purposes of exploitation. Women and children are
particularly vulnerable to trafficking practices.

GN20.1. Forced labor practices may not be immediately apparent. If forced labor is discovered in the
project’s workforce, it is important to act promptly to address the practice that has coerced the worker
and not recreate conditions of coercion. Any cases of forced labor discovered in the project’s workforce
are referred to relevant government authorities and support services, as appropriate, to be addressed in
accordance with national law. If national law is inadequate to effectively regulate and implement
prohibitions against forced labor, the labor management procedures set out measures to address
incidents of forced labor and remedy the situation.

GN20.2. Examples of conditions which may amount to forced labor include bonded labor (work in
satisfaction of a debt of an amount that would be difficult or impossible to pay off), excessive limitations
on freedom of movement, excessive notice periods, retaining the worker’s identity and other government-
issued documents (such as passports) or personal belongings, imposition of recruitment or employment
fees payable by the worker at the commencement of employment, loss or delay of wages that impede the
workers’ right to end employment within their legal rights, substantial or inappropriate fines, physical
punishment, use of security personnel to force or extract work from project workers, or other restrictions
that compel a project worker to work on a non-voluntary basis.

C. Grievance Mechanism

21. A grievance mechanism will be provided for all direct workers and contracted workers 16 (and, where
relevant, their organizations) to raise workplace concerns. 17 Such workers will be informed of the grievance
mechanism at the time of recruitment and the measures put in place to protect them against reprisal for its use.
Measure will be put in place to make the grievance mechanism easily accessible to all such project workers.
Footnote 16. For community workers, see paragraph 36.
Footnote 17. This grievance mechanism will be provided separately from the grievance mechanism required
under ESS10.

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GN21.1. Workplace concerns are usually different from issues raised by project affected parties and other
stakeholders, and therefore call for a separate mechanism to address them, as noted in Footnote 17 of

ESS2
ESS2. Further details on the design and implementation of a grievance mechanism are set out in ESS10
and the accompanying guidance.

GN21.2. The grievance mechanisms established under ESS2 do not replace or override the requirements
to provide workplace processes to report work situations that a project worker believes are not safe or
healthy. Project workers should be able to raise concerns regarding unsafe or unhealthy work situations
though the grievance mechanism, if they wish to.

GN21.3. The Borrower and third parties inform direct and contracted workers, respectively, about the
available grievance mechanisms, and how they work. The relevant information should be made available
throughout project duration in manner that is clear, understandable, and accessible to workers, for
example by including it in workers’ handbooks, on notice boards, or similar communication mechanisms.

GN21.4. The labor management procedures include reasonable measures so that direct and contracted
workers are not subjected to any form of retaliation as a result of any grievance raised.

22. The grievance mechanism will be proportionate to the nature and scale and the potential risks and
impacts of the project. It will be designed to address concerns promptly, using an understandable and transparent
process that provides timely feedback to those concerned in a language they understand, without any retribution,
and will operate in an independent and objective manner. The grievance mechanism may utilize existing grievance
mechanisms, providing that they are properly designed and implemented, address concerns promptly, and are
readily accessible to such project workers. Existing grievance mechanisms may be supplemented as needed with
project-specific arrangements.

GN22.1. To the extent possible, the project grievance mechanism uses or supplements existing grievance
mechanisms. It is important that the grievance mechanism be accessible to all direct and contracted
workers, taking into account their different characteristics, for example female workers, migrant workers
or workers with disabilities. Where appropriate, consideration can be given to allowing concerns to be
raised anonymously and/or to a person other than an immediate supervisor. An effective and appropriate
grievance mechanism operates with independence and objectivity, informs workers of the steps being
taken to address their concerns, and allows for feedback about the response, within the timeframes
specified in the grievance mechanism procedure.

23. The grievance mechanism will not impede access to other judicial or administrative remedies that might
be available under the law or through existing arbitration procedures, or substitute for grievance mechanisms
provided through collective agreements.

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D. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)

ESS2
24. Measures relating to occupational health and safety will be applied to the project. The OHS measures will
include the requirements of this Section, and will take into account the General EHSGs and, as appropriate, the
industry-specific EHSGs and other GIIP. The OHS measures applying to the project will be set out in the legal
agreement and the ESCP.18
Footnote 18. Section 2 of the General Environmental Health and Safety Guidelines (EHSGs) on Occupational Health
and Safety applies to all projects and can be found at
http://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/9aef2880488559a983acd36a6515bb18/2%2BOccupational
%2BHealth%2Band%2BSafety.pdf?MOD=AJPERES.
Each of the industry-specific guidelines addresses the OHS issues relevant to the particular industry. Links to each
of these guidelines can be found at
http://www.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/topics_ext_content/ifc_external_corporate_site/ifc+sustai
nability/our+approach/risk+management/ehsguidelines

GN24.1. Measures relating to occupational health and safety (OHS) are aimed at protecting project
workers from injury, illness or impacts associated with exposure to hazards encountered in the workplace
or while working. Such measures take into account national law requirements on OHS and workplace
conditions as they apply to the project, together with the requirements of ESS2. Additional guidance on
the management of OHS issues according to GIIP is provided in the World Bank Group Environmental,
Health and Safety Guidelines (EHS Guidelines).

GN24.2. The way in which the OHS provisions apply in projects depends on the type of project, the nature
and severity of the risks and impacts and the types of workers involved. Appropriate OHS measures are
incorporated into the design and implementation of the project to prevent and protect workers from
occupational injuries and illness.

25. The OHS measures will be designed and implemented to address: (a) identification of potential hazards
to project workers, particularly those that may be life-threatening; (b) provision of preventive and protective
measures, including modification, substitution, or elimination of hazardous conditions or substances; (c) training
of project workers and maintenance of training records; (d) documentation and reporting of occupational
accidents, diseases and incidents; (e) emergency prevention and preparedness and response arrangements to
emergency situations;19 and (f) remedies for adverse impacts such as occupational injuries, deaths, disability and
disease.20
Footnote 19. These arrangements will be coordinated with the Emergency Preparedness and Response measures
established under ESS4.
Footnote 20. Such remedies should take into account, as applicable, the wage level and age of the project worker,
the degree of adverse impact, and the number and age of dependents concerned.

GN25.1. Hazards may arise from materials (for example, chemical, physical and biological substances and
agents), environmental or working conditions (for example, working at heights or in confined spaces,
excessive hours of work, night work, mental or physical factors, oxygen-deficient environments, excessive
temperatures, improper ventilation, poor lighting, faulty electrical systems or trenches), or work
processes (for example, tools, machinery and equipment). OHS measures include the identification of

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potential hazards and responses including design, testing, choice, substitution, installation, arrangement,
organization, use and maintenance of workplaces, working environment and work processes to eliminate

ESS2
sources of risk or minimize project workers’ exposure.

GN25.2. It is good practice to avoid or eliminate sources of hazards to project workers’ health and safety,
rather than simply addressing the hazard through preventive and protective measures such as personal
protective equipment. However, when it is not feasible to avoid or eliminate the hazard, appropriate
protective measures are included in the project’s OHS measures, such as controlling the hazard at its
source through the use of protective solutions (for example, exhaust ventilation systems, isolation rooms,
machine guarding, acoustic insulation), and providing adequate personal protective equipment at no cost
to the project worker. Protective measures would include hazard labeling in languages understandable to
the project workers, training and equipment to prevent occupational exposure to hazardous materials.

GN25.3. Some OHS risks may be specific to women workers. It is recommended to include a balanced
representation of women on OHS committees to help design policies and practices responding to the
needs of female project workers.

GN25.4. Project workers should receive OHS training at the start of their employment or engagement,
thereafter on a regular basis and when changes are made in the workplace, with records of the training
kept on file. Training covers the relevant aspects of OHS associated with daily work, including the ability
to stop work without retaliation in situations of imminent danger (as set out in Paragraph 27 of ESS2) and
emergency arrangements. Where project workers carry out potentially hazardous activities, more specific
training may be appropriate. It is good practice for OHS briefings to be conducted for all visitors and other
third parties accessing the project site.

GN25.5. In emergency situations, it is important that both project workers and the community understand
their roles and responsibilities. Emergency responsiveness is most effective if the Borrower also
communicates with other parties who may be involved in prevention, preparedness and response
arrangements, for example, local authorities and services, so that they understand their roles and
responsibilities and can identify and mobilize the resources that may be required. See also ESS4.

26. All parties who employ or engage project workers will develop and implement procedures to establish and
maintain a safe working environment, including that workplaces, machinery, equipment and processes under their
control are safe and without risk to health, including by use of appropriate measures relating to chemical, physical
and biological substances and agents. Such parties will actively collaborate and consult with project workers in
promoting understanding, and methods for, implementation of OHS requirements, as well as in providing
information to project workers, training on occupational safety and health, and provision of personal protective
equipment without expense to the project workers.

GN26.1. A number of methods can be used to collaborate and consult with project workers regarding OHS,
and to facilitate an awareness and understanding of, and support for, OHS requirements. These include,
for example, inviting project workers to appoint safety officers or representatives, or forming health and
safety committees, to support collaboration in achieving safety and effective communication of
information. In designing and implementing these methods, it is important to consider the experience of

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the project workers, their level of knowledge, their familiarity with OHS requirements and the languages
in which they communicate.

ESS2
27. Workplace processes will be put in place for project workers to report work situations that they believe
are not safe or healthy, and to remove themselves from a work situation which they have reasonable justification
to believe presents an imminent and serious danger to their life or health. Project workers who remove themselves
from such situations will not be required to return to work until necessary remedial action to correct the situation
has been taken. Project workers will not be retaliated against or otherwise subject to reprisal or negative action for
such reporting or removal.

GN27.1. The information and training on OHS provided to project workers under Paragraph 26 of ESS2
includes details of the workplace processes that are available to them to report the hazardous work
situations referred to Paragraph 27 of ESS2, and to remove themselves from such situations.

28. Project workers will be provided with facilities appropriate to the circumstances of their work, including
access to canteens, hygiene facilities, and appropriate areas for rest. Where accommodation services 21 are
provided to project workers, policies will be put in place and implemented on the management and quality of
accommodation to protect and promote the health, safety, and well-being of the project workers, and to provide
access to or provision of services that accommodate their physical, social and cultural needs.
Footnote 21. Those services might be provided either directly by the Borrower or by third parties.

GN28.1. The Borrower may use existing policies and services on the management and quality of
accommodation or may develop a policy specifically for the project that responds to Paragraph 28 of
ESS2. These are clearly communicated to and required of any contractor or accommodation providers.
Monitoring conditions with respect to project-provided accommodation and services is an important
element of managing OHS risks and promoting health, safety and well-being of project workers.

GN28.2. Services provided to project workers (for example, canteen facilities or a camp store on a
construction site), whether directly or through a contractor, are provided in a non-discriminatory manner,
and comply with national law and EHSGs, particularly in relation to quality, security and safety. Where
there are charges to project workers for such services, these should be reasonable and, unless the context
of the project makes it necessary, project workers are not required to use the services.

29. Where project workers are employed or engaged by more than one party and are working together in one
location, the parties who employ or engage the workers will collaborate in applying the OSH requirements, without
prejudice to the responsibility of each party for the health and safety of its own workers.

GN29.1. Collaboration may be achieved in a number of different ways, with the aim of protecting the
health and safety of all project workers in the location. When all parties and project workers understand
the respective roles and responsibilities of each party and the structure of authority at a project location
or site, coordination in applying the project’s OHS requirements is made easier.

GN29.2. Different types of projects have different types of hazards and levels of risks in connection with
OHS, and may require different people to be responsible for coordination. Coordination on, for example,

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construction projects is important in effectively applying OHS requirements. It is best to assign overall
responsibility for the worksite, and the obligation to continuously supervise and coordinate the work being

ESS2
performed, to a specified manager on site, for example a project manager, construction manager or
supervising engineer. It is important that the role of the site manager is clearly understood and
communicated to all contractors and their workers and that procedures are put in place to facilitate
communication between contractors and the site manager.

30. A system for regular review of occupational safety and health performance and the working
environment will be put in place and include identification of safety and health hazards and risks,
implementation of effective methods for responding to identified hazards and risks, setting priorities for taking
action, and evaluation of results.

GN30.1. A system for reviewing and responding to identified hazards and risks normally includes a
procedure for documenting specific incidents such as project-related occupational injuries, illnesses and
lost time accidents. The Borrower maintains, and requires all third parties and primary suppliers to
maintain, such records. Such records form an input into the regular review of OHS performance and
working conditions and other actions called for in Paragraph 30 of ESS2.

GN30.2. In the event of an occupational fatality, the Borrower reports to the Bank as soon as becoming
aware of the fatality. This is supported by similar reporting obligations by third parties and primary
suppliers to the Borrower.

GN30.3. Corrective actions are identified and implemented in response to project-related incidents or
accidents. Where appropriate, these are included in agreements with third parties, including contractors.
The Borrower or, where relevant the third party, may conduct, and upon request share with the Bank, a
root cause analysis, to be used as the basis for designing and implementing further corrective actions.

E. Contracted Workers

31. The Borrower will make reasonable efforts to ascertain that third parties 22 who engage contracted
workers are legitimate and reliable entities and have in place labor management procedures applicable to the
project that will allow them to operate in accordance with the requirements of this ESS, except for paragraphs
34-42.
Footnote 22. See footnote 3: this may include contractors, subcontractors, brokers, agents or intermediaries.

GN31.1. Information obtained as part of the process to contract third parties who engage contracted
workers helps to ascertain the legitimacy and reliability of the third party. Depending on the nature of the
project and the potential risks and impacts, information provided by the third party or otherwise obtained
may include:

• information in public records, for example, corporate registers;

• business licenses, registrations, permits and approvals;

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• documents relating to a labor management system, including OHS issues, for example, labor
management procedures;

ESS2
• identification of labor management, safety and health personnel, their qualifications and
certifications;
• workers’ certifications/permits/training to perform required work;
• records of safety and health violations, and responses;
• accident and fatality records and notifications to authorities;
• records of legally-required worker benefits and proof of workers’ enrollment in relevant
programs;
• worker payroll records, including hours worked and pay received;
• identification of safety committee members and records of meetings;
• copies of previous contracts with contractors and suppliers, showing inclusion of provisions and
terms reflecting ESS2.

32. The Borrower will establish procedures for managing and monitoring the performance of such third
parties in relation to the requirements of this ESS. In addition, the Borrower will incorporate the requirements of
this ESS into contractual agreements with such third parties, together with appropriate non-compliance remedies.
In the case of subcontracting, the Borrower will require such third parties to include equivalent requirements and
non-compliance remedies in their contractual agreements with subcontractors.

GN32.1. The project’s labor management procedures set out the ways in which the Borrower will manage
and monitor the performance of third parties in relation to contracted workers, focusing on compliance
by such third parties with their contractual agreements (obligations, representations and warranties). As
appropriate to the project, this may include periodic audits, inspections and/or spot checks of project
locations or work sites and/or of labor management records and reports compiled by third parties. Third
parties’ labor management records and reports may include: (i) a representative sample of employment
contracts or arrangements between third parties and contracted workers; (ii) records relating to
grievances received and their resolution; (iii) reports relating to safety inspections, including fatalities and
incidents and implementation of corrective actions; (iv) training provided for contracted workers to
explain labor and working conditions and OHS for the project.

33. Contracted workers will have access to a grievance mechanism. In cases where the third party employing
or engaging the workers is not able to provide a grievance mechanism to such workers, the Borrower will make
the grievance mechanism provided under Section C of this ESS available to the contracted workers.

GN33.1. If the grievance mechanism is provided by the third party for contracted workers, the third party
reports regularly on concerns raised by the contracted workers, and the way in which they were resolved.

GN33.2. If a third party is not able to deal with workers’ concerns, as indicated in Paragraph 33 of ESS2,
the project’s grievance mechanism is made available to the contracted workers and the Borrower brings
any concerns received through the project grievance mechanism to the attention of the third party for
resolution.

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F. Community Workers

ESS2
34. Projects may include the use of community workers in a number of different circumstances, including
where labor is provided by the community as a contribution to the project, or where projects are designed and
conducted for the purpose of fostering community-driven development, providing a social safety net 23 or
providing targeted assistance in fragile and conflict-affected situations. Given the nature and objectives of such
projects, the application of all requirements of ESS2 may not be appropriate. In all such circumstances, the
Borrower will require measures24 to be implemented to ascertain whether such labor is or will be provided on a
voluntary basis as an outcome of individual or community agreement.25
Footnote 23. For example, food-for-work programs and public works as safety nets programs.

Footnote 24. These measures will be documented in the labor management procedures.

Footnote 25. See footnote 14.

35. Accordingly, where the project includes the provision of labor by community workers, the Borrower will
apply the relevant provisions of this ESS in a manner which reflects and is proportionate to:
(a) the nature and scope of the project;
(b) the specific project activities in which the community workers are engaged; and
(c) the nature of the potential risks and impacts to the community workers.
Paragraphs 9 to 15 (Working Conditions) and paragraphs 24 to 30 (Occupational Health and Safety) will be
assessed in relation to community labor, and will be applied in a manner which reflects (a) to (c) above. The way
in which these requirements will apply in the circumstances of the project will be set out in the labor management
procedures.

GN34.1. The type of projects in which community workers are involved can vary considerably in terms of
complexity, duration and type of work, number of workers involved, types of project benefits, and the way
in which ESS2 applies to the participation of community workers. Examples range from projects where the
objective is to construct small-scale community infrastructure to regional or national projects designed to
provide a social safety net to address unemployment or underemployment. The application of ESS2 to
such projects is designed to address the relevant risks and impacts in a proportionate manner, tailored to
the specific context, objectives and design of the project.

GN34.2. For example, where the objective of the project is the construction of community infrastructure
for the benefit of an identified community, with labor being provided directly by members of that
community, ESS2 requirements relating to OHS (Section D) and child and forced labor (Section B), may be
of most relevance. While the community may be contributing its labor, it would be important to check the
safety of the working environment, the age of community workers, and the terms on which labor is being
mobilized.

GN34.3. Other projects may be of broader scope and more long-term, such as those aimed at addressing
structural issues of unemployment or underemployment, including training, or providing assistance as a
response in fragile or conflict-affected situations. In such projects, the elements of ESS2 that may be most
relevant may relate to wages, terms and conditions of employment, and training (Section A).

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GN34.4. It is important that the labor in a project involving community workers is provided on a voluntary
basis. The definition of voluntary work is provided in Footnote 14 of ESS2. It is good practice, where

ESS2
appropriate, to document the agreement that is reached with community workers on an individual basis,
setting out the details of what has been agreed, the way in which the community workers are to be treated,
and how the community workers may be represented. See ESS10 for a further discussion on
representation. It also is good practice to prepare minutes of meetings with the community and
community workers to discuss and agree the terms of their engagement with the project and to share the
minutes with the community workers and their representatives.

GN35.1. Issues to be taken into account in assessing how to apply ESS2 in a proportionate manner include
consideration of the age, gender, and specific vulnerability of the individual or group of community
workers in relation to the nature of the project’s risks and impacts and the project activities to be
conducted by those workers. From a health and safety perspective, it may be appropriate to assess the
health and safety risks to which the community workers may be exposed, the ability to prevent or
eliminate such risks or, if the risk cannot be prevented or eliminated, the ability to protect community
workers from exposure.

36. In preparing the labor management procedures, the Borrower will clearly identify the terms and conditions
on which community labor will be engaged, including amount and method of payment (if applicable) and times of
work. The labor management procedures will also specify the way in which community workers can raise grievances
in relation to the project. The Borrower will assess the potential risks and impacts of the activities to be conducted
by community workers and, at a minimum, apply the relevant requirements of the General EHSGs and industry-
specific EHSGs.

GN36.1. While community workers can raise grievances in relation to the project, in many cases the nature
of such grievances and the way in which they are addressed and resolved may differ from those of other
project workers. For this reason, the project grievance mechanism may be adapted to reflect the specific
characteristics of the community workers and the project.

GN36.2. Where community workers are expected in the project, the project’s labor management
procedures set out details relating to the terms and conditions of engaging community workers, the way
in which grievances will be addressed and any additional measures designed to mitigate specific risks and
impacts relating to the community workers under the project.

37. The Borrower will assess whether there is a risk of child labor or forced labor within community labor,
identifying those risks consistent with paragraphs 17 to 20 above. The labor management procedures will set out
roles and responsibilities for monitoring community workers. If cases of child labor or forced labor are identified,
the Borrower will take appropriate steps to remedy them.

GN37.1. See GN Paragraphs 17 to 20 of ESS2 on child and forced labor.

38. The review system established pursuant to paragraph 30 will take into account the provision of labor by
community workers in the project, and that adequate training is provided to such workers, tailored to their
particular needs and the potential risks and impacts of the project.

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GN38.1. Communication with community workers, in a language and form understandable to them, is
important, so that they know what to expect from the project, and their own responsibilities under the

ESS2
project. It is recommended to conduct tailored training of community workers on a regular basis, as
appropriate to the potential risks and impacts of the project.

G. Primary Supply Workers

39. As part of the environmental and social assessment, the Borrower will identify potential risks of child labor,
forced labor and serious safety issues which may arise in relation to primary suppliers.

GN39.1. The environmental and social assessment identifies, to the extent possible, the types of goods
and materials to be obtained from primary suppliers. Where potential child labor, forced labor and serious
safety risks are identified or are prevalent or known to exist in a specific sector, industry or region in
connection with the supply of such goods and materials, a mapping exercise may be appropriate, to
identify possible suppliers and the extent to which they may present such risks.

GN39.2. Where it is not possible to identify specific primary suppliers, it may be helpful to review industry
labor issues relating to the supply of such goods and materials, and the risks. It is also useful to periodically
update the assessment of potential risks that may arise in relation to primary suppliers of the project
during project implementation. Tracking of suppliers’ performance helps inform whether procedures and
mitigation measures are being appropriately implemented and provide feedback on performance and any
new areas of risk.

GN39.3. Where appropriate, specific requirements on child labor, forced labor and work safety issues are
included in all purchasing orders and contracts with suppliers.

40. Where there is a significant risk of child labor or forced labor related to primary supply workers, the
Borrower will require the primary supplier to identify those risks consistent with paragraphs 17 to 20 above. The
labor management procedures will set out roles and responsibilities for monitoring primary suppliers. If child labor
or forced labor cases are identified, the Borrower will require the primary supplier to take appropriate steps to
remedy them.

41. Additionally, where there is a significant risk of serious safety issues related to primary supply workers, the
Borrower will require the relevant primary supplier to introduce procedures and mitigation measures to address
such safety issues. Such procedures and mitigation measures will be reviewed periodically to ascertain their
effectiveness.

42. The ability of the Borrower to address these risks will depend upon the Borrower’s level of control or
influence over its primary suppliers. Where remedy is not possible, the Borrower will, within a reasonable period,
shift the project’s primary suppliers to suppliers that can demonstrate that they are meeting the relevant
requirements of this ESS.

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 November 1, 2017
DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT
Guidance Note for ESS2
Labor and Working Conditions

GN42.1. The Borrower’s ability to influence its primary suppliers depends on the terms and conditions of
contracts with the primary supplier. Except in exceptional circumstances, the Borrower’s influence is not

ESS2
deemed to include the ability, as a sovereign state, to regulate such activities outside of the project.

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