Building Dignity And Respect Standards Council

TO ADVANCE THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF THE LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY.

WHEN SOCIALLY-RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPERS JOIN THE BUILDING DIGNITY AND RESPECT PROGRAM, THEY WILL AGREE TO ENSURE THAT ALL CONTRACTORS AT EVERY TIER OF A PROJECT ABIDE BY HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED, ETHICAL STANDARDS WHICH ADDRESS FORCED LABOR, WAGE THEFT AND OTHER EXPLOITATIVE CONDITIONS. THE MONITORING OF CONDITIONS IMPACTING THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF LOW-INCOME CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WILL PRINCIPALLY BE CARRIED OUT THROUGH REGULAR AUDITING AGREED TO BY PARTICIPATING DEVELOPERS AND CONTRACTORS AS WELL AS THE OPERATION OF A 24/7 WORKER SUPPORT LINE. AS PART OF THE MONITORING PROGRAM, BDC WILL EDUCATE WORKERS ON THE LAWS AND HUMAN RIGHTS-BASED STANDARDS PROMOTED BY THE PROGRAM.IN 2021, WE COMPLETED THE DESIGN OF THE BDR TRUST FUND, AN ESSENTIAL TOOL FOR MAKING WORKERS WHOLE IN CASES OF UNRESOLVED WAGE THEFT; SUPPORTED THE DEVELOPMENT OF WORKER EDUCATION TOOLS INCLUDING THE WORKERS' RIGHTS MANUAL THAT WILL BE PROVIDED TO ALL WORKERS IN THE PROGRAM; ADVOCATED FOR HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS WITHIN THE LAKE STREET REBUILD ALIGNMENT PROCESS BY ESTABLISHING CONCRETE, MEASURABLE REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION IN INDEPENDENT, THIRD PARTY MONITORING FOR DEVELOPMENTS; WORKED WITH THE MINNESOTA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE ON SUPPORT FOR HIGHER MUNICIPAL CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS; PARTNERED WITH MUNICIPAL LEADERS AND COMMUNITY ALLIES AROUND STRATEGIES FOR PREVENTION OF WAGE THEFT AND WORKER EXPLOITATION; WORKED WITH A COALITION OF BIPOC-LED ORGANIZATIONS TO BUILD THE RISE UP CONSTRUCTION INITIATIVE, FOCUSED ON CREATING GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR BIPOC WORKERS TO CONNECT WITH APPRENTICESHIPS AND CAREERS IN THE BUILDING TRADES; CONTINUED MEETING WITH DEVELOPERS ABOUT APPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO CONSTRUCTION SERVICES RENDERED UNDER ETHICALLY UNACCEPTABLE CONDITIONS; AND HIRED A FULL-TIME HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTIGATOR THAT WILL START IN JANUARY, 2022. REV. DOUG MORK IS AN EMPLOYEE OF HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH (THE CHURCH). THE BUILDING DIGNITY AND RESPECT STANDARDS COUNCIL (BDC) HAS A MEMO OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CHURCH TO UTILIZE HIS SERVICES AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ORGANIZATION. BDC REIMBURSED THE CHURCH FOR HIS SALARIES AND BENEFITS AND IS REPORTED AS PROFESSIONAL FEES ON THE FORM 990.