The long road to living wages – and what the Textile Alliance can do to help In 2014, the Alliance for Sustainable Textiles was founded at the initiative of the Federal Government. A central theme of the alliance is the question of wages: How can the Alliance contribute to living wages in the face of widespread poverty wages in the textile chain? Using the example of a survey of 50 West Indian textile workers from 48 different textile companies, carried out on behalf of SÜDWIND by the Indian non-governmental organisation ‘Peoples Training and Research Centre’, an attempt is made to answer these questions. Mehr Details
Fact sheet: Tricky Footwork - The Struggle for Labour Rights in the Chinese Footwear Industry This factsheet takes a closer look at labour rights in the Chinese footwear industry and the current situation of workers in the footwear sector. The people who work at the factories that supply European brands told of, among other infringements, low wages, involuntary overtime, excessive protection from health and safety risks, state violence to suppress strikes, unpaid social insurance contributions and excessive severance payments. All of the above is happening despite the fact that China has progressive labour laws, especially in comparison with other producing countries. What is more, most large footwear companies today have codes of conduct meant to curb labour law infringements by suppliers. China is by far the global leader in footwear production: It turned out over 15.7 billion pairs of shoes in 2014 alone. Editorial team: Bullerdieck, Lena Mehr Details
CorA network position paper : Seals, standard systems and legal regulations for the enforcement of labour and human rights The CorA network advocates binding instruments that oblige companies to respect human rights as well as internationally recognized social and ecological norms and standards in their value chain. Mehr Details
A little fact show Have a fashion show where you won't get bored: Because here come some uncomfortable fashion truths on the catwalk.Well suited as an introduction to a unit on the topic in the context of a workshop / lesson. Mehr Details
Quick scan of the linkages between the Ethiopian garment industry and the Dutch market Global garment brands and retailers are constantly looking for cheap(er) production locations; As a result, speed and low costs have become important requirements for manufacturers. Rising minimum wages in countries such as China and Vietnam have led to a shift in production, first to Bangladesh, later to Myanmar and now Ethiopia is said to become the next hub for textile and apparel sourcing. Mondiaal FNV commissioned SOMO to conduct a short mapping (‘Quick Scan’) of the Ethiopian garment industry. The aim of the requested Quick Scan was to identify which international brands and retailers are currently sourcing garments from Ethiopia as well as the linkages that exist between the Ethiopian garment industry and the Dutch market. Mondiaal FNV is working together with CNV and the Fair Wear Foundation in a five year partnership with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2016-2020). One of the countries the partnership will focus on is Ethiopia, where the organizations intend to work together with local partners to stimulate social dialogue, to establish a living wage and to reduce gender discrimination. Mehr Details
