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The situation in Myanmar has calmed down. But the country and its people continue to suffer from the violent reprisals of the military. Speaking to the international trade union federation IndustriALL, trade union president Khaing Zar explains why internal resistance alone is not enough.

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The military coup that took place at the beginning of February has severe consequences for the textile workers in Myanmar. Many workers have lost their jobs, trade unionists are persecuted and have to go into hiding. Since June, the number of coronavirus cases has also increased, making the situation of people fighting for democracy in their country more difficult. The military is using the pandemic as a weapon against the people and making access to medical care more difficult.

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The situation of textile workers in Bangladesh and India remains tense. Despite rising numbers of infections and a national lockdown, factories in Bangladesh remain open. Indian factories are allowed to produce again with a full workforce if they vaccinate all workers within one month. The costs for this must now be partly borne by the workers.

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© Sascha Engst/Federal City of Bonn

The Federal President has awarded Dr. Gisela Burckhardt the Federal Cross of Merit. In doing so, he honours the tireless commitment of the women's rights activist to a dignified and self-determined life of thousands of textile workers in the global South.

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Berlin/Bonn/Dortmund, 21.06.2021. The Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) criticises the fact that member companies in the Textile Alliance are not obliged to disclose their supply chain. In a recent report, the CCC shows that very few member companies disclose their supply chains and adhere to the best practice standard. Transparency Pledge follow. Only with this transparency can human rights due diligence obligations be effectively and credibly implemented. The campaign for clean clothing also criticises the lack of binding requirements for human rights due diligence.

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© FEMNET - Stefan Klübert

Companies in Germany are increasingly setting themselves ambitious sustainability goals. This applies to environmental goals such as climate neutrality, as well as social goals such as the preparation for the Supply Chain Act.

Sustainability has long been the focus of companies, regulatory and social requirements are growing. In the meantime, procurement management is part of responsible behaviour for many companies. Purchasing has an enormous leverage effect. It is a multiplier that can change the management of suppliers, but also of one's own company and provides added value for the environment, economy and society.

At the digital talk ‘More sustainability for workwear, promotional items and more: Buy textiles eco-fair’ on 20 May 2021, To which FEMNET and the Global Nature Fund had invited, the focus was therefore on responsible textile purchasing.

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India is currently the world's most affected country by the coronavirus. The high number of cases and deaths and the resulting lockdowns have a serious impact on textile workers. According to FEMNET's partner organizations, these are under a high psychological burden. In addition, they are exposed to an increased risk of infection due to their work and housing situation. The restrictions also lead to the accumulation of child labour.

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Destroyed Rana Plaza building

Press release of the Clean Clothes Campaign of 20.05.2021

On 15 May 2013, just weeks after the Rana Plaza collapse, which killed at least 1,134 people, brands and retailers, along with trade unions, signed the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh (Accord). This landmark, legally binding agreement expires in 10 days, on May 31, 2021, after the program has made 1,600 factories safer for over two million garment workers over the past eight years. The Clean Clothes Germany campaign calls on the 200 brands and retailers that are currently signatories to the Accord, including the Otto Group, to sign a new legally binding security agreement.

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The Treaty Alliance Germany has updated its flyer on the UN-Treaty. In addition to the Supply Chain Act in Germany, it describes the need to support the United Nations process for an agreement to implement binding rules on business and human rights worldwide. In addition, possibilities are shown, what each individual can do for it.

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