International Labour Standards, Global Supply Chains, and the Rights of Workers in Imo State’s Export Industries

The integration of developing economies into global supply chains has raised fundamental questions about the enforcement of international labour standards, particularly regarding wages, working conditions, freedom of association, and child labour prohibitions, in production facilities supplying international markets. Imo State's participation in agricultural commodity export chains and its growing presence in light manufacturing and craft industries connects its workers, directly and indirectly, to international standards frameworks including International Labour Organization conventions and voluntary corporate social responsibility commitments of multinational buyers. This study examines the extent to which international labour standards are observed and enforced in Imo State's export-linked industries, with a focus on the palm oil, rubber, and artisanal manufacturing sectors between 2020 and 2024. A mixed-methods approach is employed, combining worker survey data from 150 respondents in Owerri and Orlu export industry clusters with interviews of labour inspectors, export company managers, and representatives of international buyers and certification bodies. ILO decent work theory and global value chain analysis provide the analytical framework. Findings indicate that while some larger export-oriented firms demonstrate compliance with basic ILO conventions, particularly those linked to international certification schemes, informal sector workers in Imo State's export industries face persistent decent work deficits, including wage theft, occupational health risks, and suppressed union activity. International buyer compliance requirements have driven some improvements in formal sector firms but do not reach the majority of supply chain workers. Keywords: international labour standards, global supply chains, worker rights, Imo State, ILO