In today’s globalized world, the production and distribution of goods have become increasingly complex, with supply chains spanning across continents and involving numerous actors. While this has undoubtedly brought economic benefits, it has also resulted in some negative consequences, including the exploitation and violation of human and labor rights. In the context of public health procurement, this issue becomes even more critical as the products and services procured directly impact the well-being and lives of individuals. To address this issue, a new theoretical framework called ‘Push, Pull, Dance’ has been proposed, which seeks to reimagine ethical supply chains and prevent human and labor rights violations, including modern slavery.
The article ‘Push, Pull, Dance’ seeks to offer a fresh perspective and practical solutions to the challenges faced by public health procurement. The authors, who are leading experts in the field, provide a comprehensive and insightful analysis of the current state of supply chains in public health procurement. They highlight the need for a new approach that goes beyond traditional compliance-based models to ensure that ethical standards are met throughout the supply chain. This is crucial because, in many cases, the exploitation and violation of human and labor rights occur in the lower tiers of the supply chain, often hidden from the view of the procuring organization.
The ‘Push, Pull, Dance’ framework is based on three key principles – push, pull, and dance – which work together to create a more ethical and responsible supply chain in public health procurement. The push principle emphasizes the role of the procuring organization in setting and enforcing ethical standards for all actors involved in the supply chain. This involves actively working with suppliers to promote ethical practices and ensure compliance with international labor and human rights standards. It also calls for transparency in the procurement process, allowing for better monitoring and accountability.
The pull principle focuses on creating demand for ethically produced goods and services. This can be achieved by increasing awareness among consumers, policymakers, and other stakeholders about the importance of ethical supply chains. By creating a market for ethically produced products, the pull principle provides an incentive for suppliers to improve their practices and meet the required standards.
The dance principle recognizes that, in addition to the push and pull factors, there are also inherent power dynamics in supply chains that affect ethical practices. This principle seeks to address these imbalances by promoting collaboration and cooperation between all actors in the supply chain. This involves building trust and communication channels between the procuring organization and its suppliers, as well as between suppliers and their sub-suppliers. By working together, these actors can identify and address potential human and labor rights violations, including modern slavery, and find solutions that benefit all parties involved.
The ‘Push, Pull, Dance’ framework is not just a theoretical concept; it has already been successfully implemented in several public health procurement projects. For example, in Nepal, the framework was used to ensure that the procurement of medical equipment, medicines, and other health products met ethical standards and did not contribute to modern slavery. By involving all actors in the supply chain, the project was able to identify and address potential risks, resulting in more responsible and ethical procurement practices.
The authors also highlight the role of governments in promoting ethical supply chains through public procurement. As major buyers of goods and services, governments have significant leverage to influence and drive change in supply chains. By integrating the ‘Push, Pull, Dance’ principles into their procurement policies and practices, governments can lead the way in promoting ethical standards and preventing human and labor rights violations in public health procurement.
In conclusion, the article ‘Push, Pull, Dance’ offers a new and timely perspective on ethical supply chains in public health procurement. By emphasizing the proactive role of procuring organizations, the importance of creating demand for ethically produced goods and services, and the need for collaboration among all actors in the supply chain, the framework provides a practical and comprehensive approach to ensuring ethical standards are met. As we continue to face challenges in public health procurement, the ‘Push, Pull, Dance’ framework offers hope and tangible solutions for saving lives and preventing harm.
