Workers Rights & Ethics
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Monday, 25 November 2024Environmental assessment for consumer goods sector
BRUSSELS - Members of AIM-Progress, which is made up of members from the major fast-moving consumer goods sector, and the Consumer Goods Forum Human Rights Coalition, have partnered with the Fair Labor Association (FLA) and the Proforest non-profit… -
Thursday, 21 November 2024Garment workers 'struggle to make ends meet'
DHAKA - A new report from the Swedwatch NGO highlights the impacts of low wages on Bangladesh's garment workers who are said to be dependant on overtime or falling into debt to make ends meet. Swedwatch, a Swedish non-profit focused on business… -
Wednesday, 20 November 20241,200 Leicester garment workers 'underpaid'
LEICESTER - More than 1,200 garment workers in Leicester have been illegally underpaid over the last five years, according to newly disclosed figures. The figures, which cover the financial years from 2019-20 to 2023-24 and were revealed by HM… -
Wednesday, 20 November 2024Fair Wear and EOG partner on workers rights initiative
AMSTERDAM - Multi-stakeholder initiative, the Fair Wear Foundation has announced a strategic partnership with the European Outdoor Group (EOG) aimed at enhancing worker rights in the outdoor apparel sector. Under the terms of the partnership, the… -
Wednesday, 20 November 2024ILO step-ups action against Myanmar government
GENEVA - The International Labor Organization (ILO) is to begin action against the Myanmar government amid concerns that has failed to adhere to any of its previous recommendations aimed at reducing the risks faced by the country’s workers,… -
Tuesday, 19 November 2024UKFT secures CCL rebate scheme extension
LONDON – The UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) has announced a six-year extension to the Climate Change Levy (CCL) rebate scheme for the textile industry. The extended scheme, which will run from 1 January 2026 to March 2033, has been slightly… -
Tuesday, 19 November 2024Garment workers' living wage gap highlighted
SOUTH ASIA - A new report from the Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA) highlights the gap between the wages paid to garment workers and how much it costs to meet their basic living needs. AFWA's 'Path to a Living Wage' report calls for a living wage in… -
Monday, 18 November 2024
Lift-off for supplier data sharing programme
LONDON - More than 400 companies are now preparing to share their supply chain data and accelerate their transparency across global textile and garment supply chains with Open Supply Hub (OS Hub), following a series of partnerships with… -
Thursday, 14 November 2024
Complaints lodged against brands over Myanmar
YANGON - The IndustriALL globaI union has filed complaints against three leading brands – Next, New Yorker and LPP – over their continued sourcing from Myanmar despite "overwhelming evidence of continuous violations of workers’ rights" since the… -
Thursday, 14 November 2024New ESG guide for luxury brands launched
CHICAGO – International law firm Baker McKenzie and sustainability consultants Positive Luxury have published an updated guide for luxury brands on meeting the requirements of new and upcoming environmental and human rights legislation. It… -
Thursday, 14 November 2024YESS members implement cotton due diligence
BERKELEY - The Responsible Sourcing Network (RSN) non-profit has confirmed that the first cohort of its YESS (Yarn Ethically and Sustainably Sourced) members have begun to implement due diligence in their supply chains. Targeting the elimination of… -
Friday, 08 November 2024WRC accuses Shein over garment factory closure
GUATEMALA CITY - Worker rights campaigners have criticised Chinese-owned ultra fast fashion giant Shein for failing to protect workers at a former garment factory in Guatemala which supplied a brand it part owns. The US-based Worker Rights… -
Wednesday, 06 November 2024Funding gap for India decarbonisation plans
AMSTERDAM - India’s textile and apparel industry requires around $6.5 billion in fresh funding if it is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030, according to a new report from the Apparel Impact Institute. The report, ‘Landscape and… -
Monday, 04 November 2024Esquel Group restricted from exporting to US
WASHINGTON DC - The Hong Kong-based Esquel Group, one of the world's biggest textile and apparel manufacturers, has been restricted from exporting to the US under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA). The US Department of Homeland Security… -
Friday, 01 November 2024IndustriALL voices Myanmar garment worker fears
YANGON - The IndustriALL global trade union has warned of the continuing risks facing garment workers in Myanmar. Citing a tracker developed by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, which monitors abuse in Myanmar’s garment industry,… -
Thursday, 31 October 2024Cascale to give textile suppliers more say
AMSTERDAM – Cascale, formerly the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, has introduced a new member engagement and governance model which it says will elevate supplier and manufacturer input into its decision-making.It says the new model aims to promote… -
Wednesday, 30 October 2024Kering adopts science-based targets for nature
PARIS - Global luxury group Kering, owner of Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen, has adopted the first-ever science-based targets for both freshwater and land. Kering is one of just three companies, and the only one in the fashion… -
Wednesday, 30 October 2024Kering and CSF focus on sustainable governance
LONDON - The Centre for Sustainable Fashion at the London College of Fashion has partnered with global luxury group Kering, owner of Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen, on the launch of a new governance programme for the high-end… -
Wednesday, 23 October 2024H&M, Zara slammed over garment worker charges
DHAKA - Fashion brands including H&M, Zara and Next are facing criticism from campaigners and trade unions over their lack of action to protect garment workers in Bangladesh. They are being accused of failing to work with suppliers to have charges… -
Wednesday, 23 October 2024Forced labour risks 'in Taiwan textile mills'
TAIPEI - The US-based Transparentem NGO says it has uncovered serious forced labour risks involving migrants from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines working at nine textile manufacturers in Taiwan. Transparentem has released an interim… -
Monday, 21 October 2024Government dissolves BGMEA board of directors
DHAKA - The board of directors of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has been dissolved by the government and an administrator appointed until new elections are held. A notice from the Ministry of Commerce said… -
Friday, 18 October 2024OECD issues guide for fashion supply chains
PARIS - The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has launched a handbook for companies on due diligence for enabling living incomes and living wages in agriculture, garment and footwear supply chains. Building on existing… -
Friday, 18 October 2024CFIN highlights UK’s circular fashion progress
LONDON - The Circular Fashion Innovation Network (CFIN), which is tasked with creating a roadmap to promote circularity in the UK fashion and textile industry, has released its first interim report, highlighting the progress and key insights from… -
Friday, 18 October 2024Migrant workers 'still face forced labour risks'
KUALA LUMPUR - Migrant workers employed in Malaysia's garment industry are continuing to experience working conditions consistent with forced labour - despite efforts by brands to engage with their suppliers, according to new report. The US-based… -
Friday, 18 October 2024Levi's signs up to Pakistan Accord initiative
SAN FRANCISCO - Fashion giant Levi's has signed up to the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry and its Pakistan Accord factory safety programme. It follows years of pressure from worker rights campaigners on… -
Friday, 18 October 2024Cotton farm wage tool piloted in Pakistan
GENEVA - A new wage sampling tool is to be piloted across Pakistan’s cotton sector in a bid to capture accurate worker pay and boost wage transparency. The tool will initially be rolled out across a quarter of Pakistan’s cotton farms and scaled… -
Thursday, 17 October 2024Australian brands fail to pay workers a living wage – report
SYDNEY – Nearly all Australian fashion companies are not paying a living wage to workers at any stage of the supply chain, according to a new report. The 2024 Ethical Fashion Report, by Baptist World Aid Australia, also revealed that 52% of… -
Tuesday, 15 October 2024OCA launches decent work strategy for farmers
AMSTERDAM - The Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) initiative has launched a 'Decent Work Strategy' to improve working conditions and protection for organic cotton farmers, farm workers and their communities. Over the next seven years, OCA will work… -
Monday, 14 October 2024ETI orders members to share supplier data
LONDON - The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) has entered into a partnership with Open Supply Hub (OSH) and instructed its brand members to post details of their suppliers on the supply chain mapping platform. ETI says it has become the first… -
Monday, 14 October 2024Prato violence shames ‘Made in Italy’ label
Physical attacks on Pakistani migrant leather workers in Prato, who were striking for improved workplace conditions, have once again cast a shadow over the ethics associated with the ‘Made in Italy’ label. Earlier this year, Italian courts… -
Friday, 11 October 2024Inditex renews global worker rights deal
ARTEIXO - Zara owner Inditex has renewed and expanded its agreement with the UNI Global Union to protect the rights of more than 160,000 fashion and retail workers worldwide. It comes 15 years after the Spanish retail giant and the service workers’… -
Tuesday, 08 October 2024
Myanmar garment workers 'face ongoing abuse'
YANGON - Garment workers in Myanmar continue to face "dire and repressive working conditions" with 155 cases of abuse against workers reported in factories from 1st December 2023 to 30th June 2024, according to a new report. The Business and Human… -
Friday, 04 October 2024Asics, Muji urged to act on jailed worker
PHNOM PENH - Workers' rights campaigners have urged Japanese brands Asics and Muji to pressure a Cambodian supplier to compensate one of its workers who was falsely imprisoned on his bosses' evidence after being elected to lead a new union. Chea… -
Tuesday, 01 October 2024Garment worker shot dead in Bangladesh unrest
DHAKA - A garment worker has been shot dead and at least 20 more injured in continuing violent protests over pay and working conditions in Bangladesh. Unrest at garment factories has become an ongoing feature in Bangladesh since national protests… -
Monday, 30 September 2024Podcast: Inside the legal case against 'Shein's £50bn IPO'
YORK – The lawyer at the heart of a legal bid to block a potential public listing in London by ultra-fast fashion giant Shein discusses the case with our host Philip Berman in an exclusive podcast interview. Ricardo Gama, a senior associate… -
Monday, 30 September 2024Inditex halts sourcing over Turkish worker rights
ISTANBUL – Zara owner Inditex halted pre-sourcing negotiations last week with Turkish manufacturer Akcanlar Tekstil over worker rights violations, including the firing of 90 workers. This follows pressure from the United Textile Weaving and Leather… -
Monday, 30 September 2024Brands 'maintaining sourcing from Bangladesh'
DHAKA - Most brands have so far maintained sourcing levels from Bangladesh despite ongoing protests by workers which are continuing to disrupt the country's garment export industry. Factory closures caused by protests… -
Thursday, 26 September 2024Centre opens for female workers in Tunisia
TUNIS - A new centre has opened in the Tunisian capital city of Tunis to support female workers in the country's textile and garment industry in a partnership between trade unions and online fashion retailer ASOS. The centre will support female… -
Wednesday, 25 September 2024Talks agree deal to ease Bangladesh protests
DHAKA - Hopes are high that protests which have been disrupting Bangladesh's garment industry will ease following talks between the country's interim government, factory owners and workers' representatives. Factories which have been closed because… -
Tuesday, 24 September 2024Mexican fashion industry 'lacks transparency'
The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) last week published a survey revealing a troubling lack of transparency in Mexico’s fashion industry, with only one out of 18 leading companies responding to inquiries about their human rights due… -
Monday, 23 September 2024Harmful child labour uncovered in Bangladesh
DHAKA - Children are working in dangerous and harmful conditions at every stage of leather processing and production in Bangladesh, driven by the need to support their families, according to a new report. Researchers say children as young as eight… -
Friday, 20 September 2024Cambodian garment workers granted pay rise
PHNOM PENH - Garment workers in Cambodia have been granted a small increase in their minimum wage - from $204 to $208 per month - by the country's National Council on Minimum Wage (NCMW). It follows talks with employers, who said they were satisfied… -
Wednesday, 18 September 2024AAFA and FLA urge action on Bangladesh workers’ rights
WASHINGTON, D.C – The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and the Fair Labor Association (FLA) have issued a joint call for Bangladesh’s interim government to focus on improving worker rights in the country’s garment, footwear, and travel… -
Tuesday, 17 September 2024FLA offers living wage and equality support
WASHINGTON DC - The Fair Labor Association (FLA) has joined a global group of organisations advocating living wage and gender equality in the fashion and textile supply chain as part of the United Nations Global Compact’s (UNGC) Forward Faster… -
Friday, 13 September 2024Brands urge Taiwan to protect migrant workers
TAIPEI - Fifty global brands have issued a joint plea to Taiwan to ensure that responsible business practices are applied in the recruitment of migrant workers to the country’s textile mills. In joint letters to the Minister of Economic Affairs and… -
Thursday, 12 September 2024BHRRC criticises brands on Bangladesh crisis
LONDON - Global brands including Bestseller, Levi's, Target and Walmart have been criticised for failing to give information on how they are ensuring responsible purchasing practices in Bangladesh during the current unrest. The Business & Human… -
Wednesday, 11 September 2024Cascale signs MoU agreement with BGMEA
MUNICH – Cascale, formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), have signed a new supply chain collaboration. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) is aimed at… -
Tuesday, 10 September 2024Brands urge Cambodia to call off NGO probe
PHNOM PENH - Eighteen global brands, including Adidas, Gap, Levi's, PVH and VF Corp, have signed a joint statement calling on the Cambodian government to cancel an investigation into an NGO which criticised a garment factory watchdog. The Center for… -
Monday, 09 September 2024Agreement curbs GBVH, but will brands return?
A two-year review by the Global Labour Institute at Cornell University reveals significant progress in tackling gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) under a historic agreement signed in India, but also highlights concerns over its… -
Friday, 06 September 2024Child labour report flags textile sector issues
WASHINGTON – Elements of the textile supply chain in China, Vietnam and Myanmar are amongst a raft of new additions to the US Department of Labor’s watchlist of goods believed to be produced by child labour and/or forced labour. New additions to the…
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