London, 4 February – The Building and Wood Workers' International (BWI) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) have formalised their collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving the labour, health and safety performance associated with EBRD operations and investments.

The agreement, signed at EBRD Headquarters in London, was formalised by Henrik Linders, Managing Director for Environment and Sustainability at EBRD, and Ambet Yuson, BWI General Secretary. The MoU reinforces both organisations' commitment to promoting decent work, upholding fundamental labour rights, and ensuring safe and healthy working conditions across EBRD operations and investments.

The agreement establishes a framework for joint initiatives in the following areas:

• Exchanging information on compliance risks related to the implementation of the Safeguards on Labour and OSH;
• Collaborating on cases of alleged or actual non-compliance or grievances;
• Engaging in policy dialogue on relevant labour issues;
• Developing knowledge products;
• Providing capacity-building programs and training for EBRD clients;
• Exploring innovative tools to enhance monitoring of labour and working conditions; and
• Conducting joint site visits.

The signing was attended by Debbie Cousins, EBRD Director for Operations in the Environment & Sustainability Department, alongside key social experts from the bank. Also present were Gail Astrinakis (BWI Deputy President), Stephen Craig (Unite – a BWI affiliate), and Linnea Wikström (BWI Global Director for Construction and OSH).

Discussions during the event covered critical areas relevant for the collaborations, including the reconstruction of Ukraine, the rollout of EBRD’s revised Safeguard Policy, and the role of trade unions in mitigating compliance risks throughout project cycles.

Through this strengthened partnership, BWI and EBRD reaffirm their commitment to safeguarding workers' rights and improving labour conditions throughout EBRD projects.