Still much to do: A report on the ecological and social labelling of footwear and leather The English-language report examines and evaluates 12 European quality and testing labels with regard to the underlying social and environmental criteria. Among other things, the German seals Blue Angel, IVN natural leather, the ECARF quality seal and SG Pollutant were tested. This report supports consumers in their purchasing decision. At the same time, it should also be a guide for European brands and companies and support them in deciding which initiative or monitoring organisation they should join. Mehr Details
Factsheet: On quiet soles The factsheet examines the financial relations between European financial service providers and the European footwear industry. It explains whether the banks under investigation are committed to the OECD Guidelines and the UN's "Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights" and whether they are bindingly demanding environmental and social standards from their business customers. Financial service providers are also obliged to respect these principles. They must take appropriate and effective remedial action if they are injured. Therefore, as the factsheet makes clear, banks must require shoe manufacturers to disclose their supply chains and related review reports, as well as to comply with social and environmental standards, before entering into financing contracts with them. This factsheet is based on an analysis of 23 European shoe companies and their financial relationships with 23 European financial service providers between June 2012 and June 2016. Financial service providers were asked in a survey to explain whether and how social and environmental standards play a role in their credit and equity decisions. The study was conducted by the German NGO Facing Finance on behalf of the Change Your Shoes campaign. Mehr Details
Brochure Your way to fair public procurement of service and protective clothing This brochure is the result of the cooperation between FEMNET and the City of Bonn in the project ‘Good work fairbindet – Fair public procurement’. It is aimed at procurement managers who are striving for a social purchasing practice for their municipality, and at organisations who are dealing with the topic for the first time and want a guide through the complex matter. Editorial team: Marie-Luise Lämmle, Kristina Kleck with the collaboration of Britta Amorinn, Christoph Bartscher, Joachim Helbig, Susanne Hilsdorf, Heinz-Josef Houf, Achim Schneider (City of Bonn) and Annelie Evermann (WEED) Mehr Details
Country Profile Hungary The country profile provides basic information on the clothing industry and wage situation in Hungary. In terms of wages, average wages, minimum wages and subsistence wages are discussed. The country profile shows wage-related labour and human rights violations and formulates demands to remedy them. It summarises the results of an on-site investigation. Mehr Details
Labour Without Liberty - Female Migrant Workers in Bangalore's Garment Industry Female migrants employed in India’s garment factories supplying to big international brands like Benetton, C&A, GAP, H&M, Levi’s, M&S and PVH, are subject to conditions of modern slavery. In Bangalore, India’s biggest garment producing hub, young women are recruited with false promises about wages and benefits, they work in garment factories under high-pressure for low wages. These are some conclusions from the report ‘Labour Without Liberty – Female Migrant Workers in Bangalore's Garment Industry’ - published by the Indian Garment Labour Union, the India Committee of the Netherlands and Clean Clothes Campaign. Mehr Details
