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© Markus Spiske - unsplash.com

Berlin and Brandenburg want to be fairer: In the future, the employees of the public service should wear sustainable service clothing. FEMNET is currently advising the Central Procurement Office for Brandenburg. This procures workwear bundled for both federal states.

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© cini.angela - Depositphotos.com

Press release of civil society in the Textile Alliance

Seven years after the factory collapse of Rana Plaza, textile workers are once again plunging into a crisis due to COVID-19. Right now, the Alliance for Sustainable Textiles must prove itself as an authority for safeguarding human rights responsibility, demands civil society in the Textile Alliance. While brand and retail companies are responding to the COVID-19 crisis with far-reaching cancellations from their suppliers, textile workers in the producing countries are suffering extreme economic hardship due to the loss of income. If the regular wage falls away, which often does not reach the end of the month anyway, there are no social security systems in place.

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© Taslima Akter

The coronavirus pandemic has severely affected the entire textile industry, both here and in the producing countries. Many companies cancel orders, no longer accept ordered goods or trade discounts. Others try to agree with their producers on burden sharing.

In Germany, all clothing stores are currently closed, manufacturers and retailers without online sales are particularly bad. Strongly affected by the closures are in particular the fast fashion chains, which change their assortment every 4-6 weeks and buy huge quantities. Now they remain on the spring collection, which probably can no longer be fully sold when the shops reopen. Discount battles are to be presumed.

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© FEMNET

On April 24, 2013, the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh collapsed, killing 1,134 textile workers. Now, seven years after what is arguably the biggest catastrophe in the clothing sector, general working conditions for workers have improved little. Especially in the current corona crisis, it is also clear how little responsibility the big fashion companies really take on for their textile value chains. Unfortunately, many planned events and demonstrations had to be cancelled, so we are starting a special event for this year's Memorial Day. Join in action!

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The NGWF trade union distributes educational brochures and food in Bangladesh. © NGWF

The NGWF trade union is committed to the health and care of workers in the textile industry. In order to protect workers from infection and reduce the risk of pandemics, NGWF has published brochures on COVID-19 and necessary prevention measures. The leaflets were distributed in the local Bengali language as well as in English.

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Corona crisis causes emergencies. Food supply to textile worker in Bangladesh. © NGWF

Bangladesh accounts for 75% of the textile industry's exports. The impact on employees in the absence of payments and new orders is catastrophic. Rubana Huq, president of BGMEA, said buyers had canceled $3.15 billion worth of orders in 1,134 factories or did not take off goods.

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In addition to food, help with communication and rental payments is urgently needed.© SAVE

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the GOI to impose a curfew, which entered into force on 23 March 2020, was originally intended to last until 14 April 2020 and was ultimately extended until 3 May 2020. The effects are drastic and also affect the textile workers in Bangalore's textile industry.

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© SAVE

Globally, supply chains are collapsing due to the coronavirus pandemic. In the face of factory closures, wage losses, rising food prices and strict curfews, the situation for precariously employed textile workers is becoming increasingly severe. FEMNET has set up an emergency fund to protect themselves and their families and ensure their existence. In India, FEMNET's partner organizations have started distributing food.

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Food distribution to migrant workers on 4 April 2020. © SAVE

Workers from Tamil Nadu have an employment contract with the factory, which either includes a monthly wage or they are paid by piece. They have not received any wages since March 23, 2020. There is no short-time work allowance, as in Germany, where the state supports companies. However, citizens in need can receive food from Tamil Nadu with the help of a ration card.

FEMNET's long-standing partner organisation SAVE At the end of March 2020, the The precarious situation of migrant workers reacts and currently takes care of the care of migrant workers in particular, who do not receive support from the state via the ration card.

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