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© Engagement Global / Compass Sustainability

In the future, buyers will be able to create interactive proof questionnaires for bidding companies using a new online tool without any Excel knowledge in order to check compliance with sustainability criteria. The proof questionnaire generator will be available free of charge from summer 2023 in the new ‘My Compass’ login area of the SKEW Sustainability Compass.

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© FEMNET

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation published its strategy paper ‘Feminist Development Policy – Towards a Just and Strong Society Worldwide’ in March 2023, having already presented guidance on the topic at the beginning of 2022. FEMNET had commented critically. The new strategy paper now provides further elements to help tackle gender inequality. Can this improve the working conditions of workers in the clothing industry?

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© geralt ⁇ pixabay.com

Technical solutions for traceability of textile products could be an important tool to bring together verified information on sustainability in supply chains, products and companies. As part of a study, FEMNET examined how they could be applied in the demonstration of public procurement – and where there are currently still limits.

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© Lavinia Muth

Fashion Revolution Week or #RememberingRanaPlaza, as those affected in Bangladesh call it remembering the collapse of the factory building on April 24, 2013, also shows ten years after the accident that, despite many advances, there can (yet) be no talk of a revolution in the textile industry. There are different reasons for this.

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Joint press release by FEMNET, NGWF and ECCHR

"10 years after Rana Plaza, there are still factories in Bangladesh that produce clothing for international companies such as Amazon, IKEA or Tom Tailor, where there are hardly any security controls. We can no longer accept that," says Amirul Haque Amin, President and Co-Founder of the National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF).

FEMNET, ECCHR and NGWF submit the first complaint against Amazon and IKEA to a German authority, the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA), on the basis of the Supply Chain Act, which entered into force in January 2023. This is based on a research carried out by the National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF) in Bangladesh in March 2023, which identified safety deficiencies such as lack of inspections, but also other labour rights violations such as lack of trade union freedom.

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Workers at a NGWF trade union demonstration in Bangladesh

Ten years ago, the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh collapsed, killing more than 1,000 people. Building safety in factories has been improved by international agreements, such as the Accord. But what has happened in terms of working conditions? In February we were in Bangladesh and spoke with our partner organization NGWF.

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...this is the name of the network for students and other interested parties who are involved in the field of fashion and human rights.

We are transforming the apparel industry, pooling our expertise and providing an opportunity for regular exchange. With the help of a digital platform, we create a space for information, training and networking events as well as opportunities for skill and resource sharing. Because together we can move more: With more networking, more knowledge, more action, more solutions, more activism, we strongly ensure more social justice and more protection of natural resources.

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© FEMNET

A report by our co-worker, Ohnmar Khin.

Two years ago, the military in Myanmar violently couped itself to power. After just a few days, there were countless arrests and deaths during demonstrations against the regime. At the forefront are textile workers who work in factories of international companies and continue to take to the streets today despite the great danger. At the same time, all Burmese in the country lack the most essential: The cost of living has exploded due to inflation and there is no longer sufficient medical care in the country. Many do not have the financial means to flee and those who manage to do so face new challenges and have to fear far away for their future and that of their families.

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