In response to an absence of effective methods of international labor standards regulation, International Framework Agreements (IFAs) have emerged as a strategy promote labor rights in transnational supply chains. This article analyzes IFAs, with particular attention given to their capacities to move beyond the weaknesses of unilateral corporate codes of conduct. By facilitating social dialogue between transnational corporations and global union federations, IFAs hold potential to involve unions and workers in transnational labor standards regulation.Yet they are weakened by a top-down approach that needs greater connection local union organizing. To move beyond their limitations, they must more effectively combine a transnational focus with traditional union strategies such as organizing and collective bargaining.
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