Dear friends of FEMNET,

7 October was World Day of Decent Work. How long will the industry be able to evade this? One thing is clear: With the current pushes for a cross-industry supply chain law and for the payment of living wages in the clothing industry, we are now all drilling together on the right boards. You can find out how you can participate in this newsletter.

FEMNET is also doing its utmost to promote greater solidarity in working life. We have even been nominated for this: Vote for us until 31.10. for the Ketteler Prize of the ZASS Foundation, endowed with 5,000 euros. Thank you for your support!

Wishing you an interesting read

The FEMNET team

PS: If you are already looking for something nice for Christmas, we have an idea: www.femnet.de/spendenstattschenken

Only a legal framework will help! © Initiative Supply Chain Act

Supply Chain Act: Against profits without conscience

The German government must legally oblige German companies to comply with human rights and environmental standards worldwide. This calls for a broad alliance of 64 civil society organisations, including FEMNET and the CorA Network for Corporate Responsibility.

Do you also want to demand an effective supply chain law? There are many ways to support the initiative. You can download or order information material, an argumentation guide and signature lists online. You will always be up to date with a newsletter on the Supply Chain Act initiative.

Sign the petition now...

Exploitation doesn't suit me. © publiceye.ch

How fair does your brand pay?

The declarations of intent of most fashion houses only look good on paper. This is the conclusion reached by the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) in its "Company check 2019“, for which it examined 45 of the main European brands. Despite promises to the contrary, none of the companies analysed still ensure that their seamstresses receive a living wage in real terms.

Initiated by the Swiss organization Public Eye, we as part of the CCC now want to put pressure on fashion brands with a wave of inquiries to the customer services of eight fashion companies!

Further information: www.femnet.de/existenzlohn

Six strong women, many perspectives, one demand: Systemic change! © Kornelia Danetzki

To listen to: Of Fashion and Power, Body and Capitalism

Picture: Six strong women, many perspectives, one demand: Systemic change! © Kornelia Danetzki

‘Change the world, not just your wardrobe!’ According to this motto, Tansy Hoskins calls for systemic change that cannot be achieved through personal consumption alone. We can only agree with that.

At the invitation of FEMNET, the British author and journalist was a guest at the Fair Week in Bonn. At our cooperation event with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Tansy Hoskins, Lavinia Muth (Armed Angels), Dr. Gisela Burckhardt (FEMNET) and Dr. Christina Stockfisch (DGB) discussed nothing less than system change: What is Consumption in Capitalism? Can we buy justice? And what else do we have to do to change the world?

To the audio recording of the panel discussion...

Our reading recommendations: The Anti-Capitalist Book of Fashion by Tansy Hoskins & ‘Death chick’ by Gisela Burckhardt

Lots of hustle and bustle around the Green Button. © Agency Tinkerbelle

The Green Button in the discussion - FEMNET

With regard to the textile industry, hardly any topic has caused as much fuss in recent weeks as the Green Button: ‘What does the Green Button bring?’, ‘What is the first state seal for sustainable textiles?’, ‘The Green Button – a first step in the right direction?’ are just a few titles of the numerous media reports devoted to the question of the content and effectiveness of the state metaseal of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

FEMNET has also taken up this question. As part of a symposium for teachers from universities and colleges, we were able to attract four experts for the 11.10.2019, who put various perspectives on the Green Button for discussion.

To the conference documentation...

Responsibility of companies: Voluntary measures and legal regulations

As a guest author, Gisela Burckhardt gives a crisp overview of the topic in the ZdK’s magazine ‘Salzkörner’ (coming soon): How do the Textile Alliance and the Green Button complement each other? How does FEMNET assess the implementation of these voluntary measures? Why do we urgently need a legal basis?

Click here for the article...

What do you think of the Green Button?

Great thing or unnecessary greenwashing?
Participate in our survey!

Lectures and group work can be combined in a modular way © FEMNET ⁇ Kathrin Brunnhofer

Free toolkit for educational work at universities

Under the motto ‘FairSchnitt - Studying for a socially just fashion industry’, FEMNET has been developing formats, networks and structures since 2012 to discuss topics such as corporate responsibility, social and environmental standards or labour and human rights at universities using the example of the clothing industry.

In order to increase the impact of the materials, we have now published the educational modules as a toolkit. As a result, they are now available beyond our target courses. Each module consists of a teacher's guide, a presentation, and materials for group work that you can use, customize, and distribute. A literature list provides background information and additional sources.

Download the toolkit...

Further information: www.fairschnitt.org

activists and urban workers ‘fairbunden’ in Bonn. © Hundred One

Review of the Speakers Tour 2019 ‘Good work fairbindet’

In Tunisia, Amani Allagui and Houda El Fadhel are fighting for decent work. As part of the Fair Weeks, the activists now reported on everyday work in the factories for workwear in Germany. From 12.-19.09. they were guests in six cities at the invitation of FEMNET. Under the motto ‘Good work fairbindet’, the Tunisian experts conveyed their experiences and demands in an expressive and retroactive way. In our report we give you insights and photo impressions.

A few questions always burned under the nails of the more than 250 visitors in the end: What can we do? How can we help improve working conditions in the workwear industry? How can we strengthen the role of fair procurement in Germany?

The appeal of the activists is clear: Pay more attention to human rights when shopping!

Looking back at the Speakers Tour...

Eco-fair fashion on the red carpet in Bonn City © Julia Krojer

‘All-round fair’ in the spirit of gender equality

In the meantime, it already has a tradition on Bonn's Münsterplatz: The All-around Fair 2019 was once again all about fair trade and fair fashion. In addition to breakfast, fashion show, change of clothes and city tour, information stands also offered many suggestions on how we can become active ourselves. The event is supported by a broad alliance of Bonn organizations and many volunteers. This year’s Fair Week focused on gender equality. In short interviews, experts informed how the targeted promotion of women can positively change entire societies, how fair trade works and how consumers recognize the products.

We would like to thank all sponsors, sponsors and volunteers! If you also want to help next time, feel free to write to us.

Report and photos of the event...

Buyer Guide Bonn back in stock

Do you need tips for the cash jungle? The FEMNET shopping guide ‘Fair fashion, beautiful fashion’ can now be ordered again. The 2017 brochure lists 61 shops in Bonn and portrays 17 of them in detail. The shops carry out fair, ecological fashion or fashion produced in the EU 15 (old EU countries): From chic boutiques to children's clothing stores to the sports and outdoor segment and tailoring shops.

You can pick up the purchase guide at the FEMNET office for a nominal fee of 1 euro or order it by post (plus shipping and handling costs): This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To the PDF download “Fair Fashion, Beautiful Fashion”...

04.11.2019: Agenda 5/17: Gender equality through partnership (Munich)
Conference with a keynote speech by Gisela Burckhardt

07.11.2019: FairQuatschen (Cologne)
open FEMNET action meeting

04.12.2019: FairQuatschen (Bonn)
open FEMNET action meeting: Excursion to Kiss the Inuit

08.12.2019: Dress exchange party (Bonn)
organized by Greenpeace Bonn and FairQuatschen (further information will follow)

Thinking about tomorrow today: Give a donation to FEMNET for Christmas. Together we bring human rights into fashion!

From about mid-November you will receive a beautiful FEMNET certificate for the recipients. More information can be found online.

September 2019: Fast Fashion vs. Economy for the Common Good: Fashion Revolution in Bonn (Print) about FEMNET, eco-fair fashion labels, fast fashion and the Primark opening in Bonn. In: Bonner Umwelt newspaper

01.09.2019: Evangelical Church in Kerpen donates cafe proceeds for textile workers (Print) A fundraiser in favour of FEMNET. In: Our church

09.09.2019: ‘Green button’: Nobody was waiting for another textile seal. In: Göttinger Tageblatt

09.09.2019: "Green button", the right lever? How to Make Businesses Obligated. In: HR2 "The Day"

09.09.2019: ‘Femnet’ and ‘eco-test’: Sharp criticism of the production conditions of jeans. In: Editorial network Germany

09.09.2019: Six years after factory collapse in Bangladesh: What has happened? In: Greenpeace Magazine (dpa)

10.09.2019: Women's culture with films and readings. In: RP Online

11.09.2019: Fairly traded clothing is not an old clamot. In: NWZ Online

19.09.2019: Fair weeks show fashionable. In: RP Online

07.10.2019: Fair proceeds: All around Fair wants to convince customers of sustainability. In: window

19.10.2019: Interview with Femnet: The mouthpiece for textile workers in India and Bangladesh. In: Podcast "Step into the future"

www.modefairarbeiten.de