News - 2022

© FEMNET

Open Letter: Failure to comply with human rights due diligence obligations

Together with other supporters FEMNET and ECCHR address the brands TOM TAILOR, IKEA, Deichmann and Amazon today, on the anniversary of the devastating #Tazreen factory fire.

Ten years ago, on Nov. 24th, 2012, 117 people died in the Tazreen factory fire. Exactly six months later, 1,135 people died in the rubble of Rana Plaza. The "Accord for Building Safety and Fire Prevention in Bangladesh" (Bangladesh Accord) was a response to these tragedies and has been successful in preventing such tragedies in the garment industry. Yet leading companies that produce in Bangladesh have not signed the Accord to date, including: TOM TAILOR, IKEA, Deichmann and Amazo.

Yes EU can!

© Initiative Lieferkettengesetz

Inflation and its effects on the producing countries of the clothing industry

The inflation rate in Germany is currently at 10%, but also people in theproduction countries are looking to the future fearfully. Food prices have skyrocketed in many countries, while real wages are stagnating and less and less is enough to live on. In addition, the subdued consumption mood in Europe is having a noticeable impact on textile factories.

Femal textil worker in Myanmar, working with an sewing maschine

© Somo | Martje Theuws

Overtime, Surveillance and Violence - On the Current Situation in Myanmar

With the executions of four activists at the end of July, the violence of the military regime in Myanmar has reached a new, sad climax. De facto head of government, Aung San Suu Kyi, was sentenced to six more years in prison. Meanwhile, the situation of Myanmar's textile workers is becoming increasingly threatening. Raids and arrests at factories are on the rise. At the same time, labor rights are being curtailed, wages cut and unrealistic production targets set.

Rukmini Vaderapura Puttaswamy. © Regina Weidental

Indian women's rights activist Rukmini V. Puttaswamy receives prize from the Bremen Senate Chancellery

The 17th Bremen Solidarity Award was presented in 2021 to trade unionist Rukmini Puttaswamy of Munnade/GLU at the suggestion of FEMNET.

Rukmini is president of the only women-led union GLU (Garment Labour Union) in India. Rukmini is a tireless fighter and has been campaigning hard for the rights of women garment workers for many years.

For FEMNET, Rukmini and GLU are reliable project partners. Together we have already been able to achieve a lot and, for example, help in hundreds of cases of labor rights violations.

Femnet is extremely happy about this recognition for Rukmini. She and the trade union women of GLU have more than earned the 10,000 Euro prize.

In June 2022 several events will host Rukmini as key speaker and honor her for her achievements.

Global support for strong European regulations - Statement from civil society and trade unions on the EU supply chain law

Together with over 220 civil society networks, individual organisations and trade unions from around the world, we are addressing the European Parliament and EU Member States with a joint statement today. Whether from India, Brazil, USA, China or Bangladesh, all the signing organisations have one thing in common: they demand a strong EU supply chain law. Only a strong EU supply chain law can effectively improve conditions for people, environment and climate along global value chains!

Joint Statement