Workers Rights & Ethics
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Thursday, 18 August 2022IndustriALL urges brands to support Sri Lanka
COLOMBO - The IndustriALL global trade union federation has added its voice to those urging global apparel brands to continue sourcing from Sri Lanka to help the country through its current economic crisis. People in Sri Lanka currently face daily… -
Tuesday, 16 August 2022China confirms ILO forced labour conventions
GENEVA - China has lodged documents with the International Labour Organization (ILO) confirming its ratification of the organisation's conventions on forced labour amidst ongoing concerns over its use in the Xinjiang region's cotton industry. Martha… -
Tuesday, 16 August 2022Cambodia’s garment sector starts wage talks
PHNOM PENH – Discussions regarding the revised minimum wages of garment workers in Cambodia have started, as union representatives yesterday met with members of the National Minimum Wage Council. The meeting was described by local news outlets as… -
Monday, 15 August 2022ACT bid to protect workers' rights in Turkey
BERLIN - Members of the ACT initiative, which include 19 global brands and the IndustriALL global union, have today moved to pressure garment and textile factories in Turkey into respecting workers' rights. ACT, which is supported by major fashion… -
Friday, 12 August 202240,000 loom workers strike in Pakistani city
FAISALABAD - More than 40,000 power loom workers in Pakistan's textiles hub city of Faisalabad have gone on strike for improved pay and conditions, according to the IndustriALL global union. The workers have also been demonstrating on the streets of… -
Wednesday, 10 August 2022ETI to publish study on sourcing from Myanmar
YANGON - The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) will later this month publish the findings of what it says is the most comprehensive study so far into the human rights implications of continued sourcing from Myanmar. Brands and retailers Aldi South,… -
Tuesday, 02 August 2022Framework promotes responsible purchasing practices
GLOBAL – A coalition of social and environmental sustainability non-profits, including Fair Wear and the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), have developed a new framework in a bid to align the industry in its understanding of what constitutes… -
Tuesday, 26 July 2022Brands accused of failing to protect workers
YANGON - Fashion brands are failing to protect workers in Myanmar from widespread labour and human rights abuses including wage theft, mandatory overtime, violent attacks, arrest, torture and even death, according to a new report. The Business &… -
Monday, 25 July 2022UK authority assesses Leicester’s textile sector
LEICESTER – The UK’s Low Pay Commission, which advises the government on living and minimum wage levels, has published a new report which assesses the state of Leicester’s garment manufacturing sector after its reputation was tarnished. The paper,… -
Friday, 22 July 2022Esquel setback in case against Xinjiang sanction
WASHINGTON DC - Hong Kong-based textile and apparel manufacturer the Esquel Group has suffered another setback in its bid to overturn US sanctions against one its subsidiaries over alleged links to forced labour in China's Xinjiang region. The US… -
Thursday, 21 July 2022Coalition aims to improve purchasing practices
GLOBAL - An alliance of multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs) has drawn up new proposals on responsible purchasing practices in a bid to reduce the negative impacts of the fashion industry on garment workers and suppliers. Ethical Trading Initiative… -
Thursday, 21 July 2022New textile federation to support Leicester suppliers
LEICESTER – Authorities in Leicester have welcomed the formation of a new Apparel and Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF) which will serve as a “voice for suppliers”. It’s one of many initiatives and activities underway within the city to… -
Tuesday, 19 July 2022Workers’ rights coalition campaigns for living wages
AMSTERDAM – A coalition of workers’ rights organisations have launched what’s said to be the largest European campaign on living wages in a bid to influence legislation within the garment sector. The Good Clothes, Fair Pay campaign – backed by the… -
Thursday, 14 July 2022Garment workers' leader 'targeted by officials'
BANGKOK - A Thai trade union leader has accused the country's authorities of using COVID-19 restrictions to keep workers in line after 1,388 former garment workers won a 'historic' victory to end a 13-month dispute. Owners of the Brilliant Alliance… -
Friday, 08 July 2022
Garment workers go on strike in Myanmar
YANGON - Around 2,000 garment workers have reportedly gone on strike over pay and conditions in what is said to be the first major industrial action in Myanmar since last year's military coup. The workers are employed by the JW factory in Yangon’s… -
Tuesday, 05 July 2022Forced labour fears in Xinjiang factory surge
WASHINGTON DC - A new report claims that China’s efforts to turn the Xinjiang region into a manufacturing powerhouse could make it harder to determine whether products are made with forced labour. The Center for Advanced Defense Studies (C4ADS) says… -
Tuesday, 05 July 2022Cambodian workers set for wage talks amidst inflation
PHNOM PENH – Labour unions in Cambodia will reportedly request a US$10-20 wage increase for garment workers at upcoming talks with authorities. Tripartite talks between the government and representatives of employers and workers are expected to get… -
Friday, 01 July 2022ETI appoints Mary Creagh as its new chair
LONDON - Former British MP Mary Creagh, who led the 2018 Environmental Audit Committee's (EAC) inquiry into the fashion industry, has been appointed as the new chair of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI). Creagh was appointed by the ETI board this… -
Friday, 01 July 2022Supply countries among worst for worker rights
BRUSSELS - Garment manufacturing countries Bangladesh and Myanmar are among the 10 worst counties in the world for workers' rights, according to the 2022 edition of the International Trade Union Confederation’s (ITUC) Global Rights Index. The ITUC,… -
Friday, 01 July 2022Study shows need to expand Accord to Pakistan
KARACHI - Campaigners say a new study on factory safety for garment and textile workers highlights the need to expand the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry to Pakistan. The Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC)… -
Thursday, 30 June 2022PVH Corp invests in supplier improvements
NEW YORK – Fashion conglomerate PVH Corp, which owns the Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein brands, has partnered with HSBC to launch a supply chain financing programme that it’s hoped will accelerate the uptake of ‘sustainable’ environmental and… -
Wednesday, 29 June 2022Unionisation rights declining, rights index says
YANGON – Workers’ rights abuses have reached record highs in supply chain countries including Myanmar, according to the International Trade Union Confederation’s (ITUC) latest Global Rights Index. Restrictions on the right to establish or be… -
Tuesday, 28 June 2022Fast Retailing backs ILO project in Bangladesh
DHAKA - Uniqlo owner Fast Retailing has announced its support for a new International Labour Organization (ILO) initiative to enhance social security protection for garment workers in Bangladesh. Fast Retailing is backing the Employment Injury… -
Thursday, 23 June 2022
Garment workers win 'historic' wage victory
KARACHI - Garment workers in Pakistan's textiles hub of Sindh province have won what campaigners declared to be a "historic" 40 per cent hike in the minimum wage. The Sindh Minimum Wage Board's decision to increase unskilled workers minimum pay -… -
Thursday, 23 June 2022ILO change will 'benefit garment workers'
GENEVA - The International Labour Organization's (ILO) decision to extend its 'Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work' to include a safe working environment will make a real difference to the world's garment workers, according to the Ethical… -
Wednesday, 22 June 2022Pilot to protect garment workers in Bangladesh
DHAKA - Garment workers in Bangladesh are to receive enhanced social security protection in the event of injuries at work following the launch of a new pilot scheme backed by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The ILO and German… -
Tuesday, 21 June 2022
Columbia supplier accused of worker violations
KUPPAM - Garment workers at a factory in India which exclusively supplies US brand Columbia Sportswear are paid illegally low wages and subjected to verbal use and sexual harassment, according to a new report. Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA)… -
Monday, 20 June 2022
Garment worker study attracts £1.3m funding
NOTTINGHAM - An academic at the University of Nottingham has been awarded almost £1.3 million (US$1.6m) to investigate the threats posed to female garment workers in global apparel supply chains. Dr Sabina Lawreniuk's four-year research project is… -
Thursday, 16 June 2022
Turkish garment workers 'earn poverty pay'
ISTANBUL - Turkish workers making garments for global brands - including Adidas, C&A, Hugo Boss, H&M, Zara owner Inditex, Levi’s, Marks & Spencer, Next, Nike and Primark - are earning only a quarter of the living wage, according to campaigners. The… -
Friday, 10 June 2022Project recycles plastic waste into buttons
BENGALURU - A partnership funded by the H&M Foundation claims to have improved the lives of 20,000 waste pickers in India while recycling discarded plastic into millions of new buttons for the fashion industry. Saamuhika Shakti was launched two… -
Wednesday, 08 June 2022New US$250M fund launched to tackle fashion emissions
SAN FRANCISCO – Not for profit organisation, the Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), has announced the lead funders in a new US$250M ‘Fashion Climate Fund’. The backers include: Lululemon, H&M Group, H&M Foundation, and The Schmidt Family… -
Wednesday, 08 June 2022Shein launches charitable fund to aid Or Foundation
ACCRA – U.S./Ghana-based not-for-profit charity, The Or Foundation, and online retailer, SHEIN, have announced a multi-year agreement which will see the launch of Shein's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Fund. The ERP Fund will help advance… -
Monday, 06 June 2022BGMEA courts Germany with sustainability commitment
BERLIN - The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has reiterated its commitment to enhance safety and promote its members’ ethical approach to apparel sourcing as it seeks to cement supply chain cooperation with Germany. -
Wednesday, 01 June 2022New phase in microfibre shedding action announced
AMSTERDAM - The ZDHC Foundation (ZDHC) and The Microfibre Consortium (TMC) have unveiled details of the next stage of a major initiative to address the issue of microfibres in textile manufacturing wastewater. Following the release of ‘Control of… -
Tuesday, 31 May 2022Sri Lankan garment workers 'turn to sex work'
COLOMBO - Former garment makers in Sri Lanka are reportedly turning to prostitution to feed their families as the country's economic crisis continues to devastate the once booming industry. Sri Lanka's Joint Apparel Association Forum trade body this… -
Friday, 27 May 2022
Brands 'should be liable for garment workers'
DAVOS - Brands should be held legally liable for workers’ rights violations in global garment supply chains, according to a joint statement from the Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA) and Focus on Global South initiatives to the World Economic Forum.… -
Thursday, 26 May 2022Victoria's Secret financed 'historic' pay-out
BANGKOK - Lingerie brand Victoria's Secret has confirmed that it arranged the finance which enabled a US$8.3 million payment to 1,388 former garment workers resolving a long-running dispute in Thailand. Owners of the Brilliant Alliance Thai Global… -
Wednesday, 25 May 2022
Long-running garment worker dispute settled
BANGKOK – A dispute in which 1,388 garment workers claimed they were illegally laid off without compensation following the closure of a lingerie factory, which supplied brands including Victoria’s Secret, Torrid and Lane Bryant, has been resolved… -
Monday, 23 May 2022
Bid to improve protection for garment workers
PHNOM PENH - A new initiative has been launched by Oxfam and the Laudes Foundation in partnership with NGOs and trade unions to improve social protection for garment workers in Cambodia. Entitled 'Inclusive National Social Protection Initiatives… -
Thursday, 19 May 2022Vietnam launches COVID migrant worker study
HO CHI MINH CITY - A new seven-month study has been launched into the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on migrant workers in apparel and footwear factories in Vietnam. The reluctance of migrant workers to return to work following coronavirus… -
Wednesday, 18 May 2022Factory safety programme launches in Cambodia
PHNOM PENH - A programme launched in 2019 to improve garment worker safety in Vietnam and India - with support from brands such as Bestseller, Gap, Target, VF Corp and Walmart - is expanding to Cambodia. The Life and Building Safety (LABS)… -
Tuesday, 17 May 2022Call for global fund for garment workers
ITHACA - A global severance fund paid for, in part, by brands should be established to protect garment workers in supply chain countries which often lack adequate social protection systems, according to a new study. Researchers at Cornell… -
Monday, 16 May 2022Industry reacts to proposed US FABRIC Act
WASHINGTON DC - The US fashion industry has cautiously welcomed a new bill which aims to protect the wages of garment workers by outlawing piece-rate pay and also encourage the fashion industry to move production back to the country. The Fashion… -
Friday, 13 May 2022ETI issues warning to brands on Myanmar
YANGON - The Ethical Trading Institute (ETI) is urging western companies to stop investing in Myanmar and to consider pulling out of the country because of the deteriorating situation for workers following the coup. ETI previously urged brands and… -
Thursday, 12 May 2022
Bid to train garment workers in digital skills
DHAKA - The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) has launched a new project to help 135,000 garment workers in Bangladesh - mostly women - to build financial and digital literacy skills. UNCDF has partnered with wage access platform Wagely, digital… -
Tuesday, 26 April 2022Garment worker abuse 'increased in pandemic'
INDIA - Women garment workers at factories in India which supply major brands and retailers have been subjected to widespread gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new study. Entitled 'Unbearable… -
Monday, 25 April 2022More brands urged to back International Accord
DHAKA - The UNI Global Union has marked the ninth anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster by calling on more brands to sign the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Garment and Textile Industry. It named US companies Walmart, Disney and… -
Friday, 22 April 2022China ratifies ILO treaties on forced labour
BEIJING - China has ratified two International Labour Organization (ILO) treaties on forced labour despite ongoing allegations about the widespread use of forced labour in the Xinjiang region's cotton industry. The National People’s Congress… -
Thursday, 21 April 2022
Brands urged to help threatened garment workers
KOGGALA - Trade unions and workers' rights campaigners are urging brands to help 1,500 garment workers at two closure-threatened factories owned by the apparel manufacturing giant Esquel in Sri Lanka. The Free Trade Zones and General Service… -
Wednesday, 20 April 2022Sri Lankan firm bites back over report allegations
COLOMBO – A new report has accused Sri Lanka’s largest garment manufacturer, Brandix Lanka, of breaching COVID-19 guidelines in the run up to what was a deemed a ‘superspreader’ event in October 2020, and subsequently cracking down on unions that…
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