The Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution (SMEP) Programme aims to address the environmental and human health impacts of the manufacturing sector and plastics pollution in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. SMEP works with businesses, NGOs and universities active in supply chains of plastics, organic waste, textiles and apparel, tanneries and leather, and used lead acid batteries. SMEP commissioned the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) to help SMEP grantees strengthen their organisational practice around decent work and occupational health and safety (OHS).

Lessons from this work have informed a series of briefing papers:

• Enabling and supporting decent work in MSMEs
• Decent work for all: Reaching workers in informal employment
• Decent work in emerging green and circular supply chains and green industries

These papers also draw on a literature review and key informant interviews with experts, practitioners and programme partners. 

They highlight practical lessons for businesses, funders and implementing partners on how to make environmental initiatives more worker-centred, inclusive and effective.