Health Risk Textile Worker - Partner from India and Indonesia as Guest What are the specific risks faced by women in the textile and footwear industry? And how can these be minimized? What responsibility do companies and politicians in Germany have to create fairer working conditions? These and other questions will be the focus of the upcoming Speakers Tour of FEMNET and the SÜDWIND Institute, which will take place from 20 to 28 November in Bonn, Cologne and Berlin. Four experts from India and Indonesia working in the textile sector provide insights into the health risks workers face on a daily basis – and what changes are urgently needed to improve the situation. Details Published: 22 October 2024 Read more …
© annlarich - depositphotos.com Joint statement: World Bank must respond to repression against civil society organisations in Cambodia FEMNET and more than 160 international human rights organisations call on the World Bank to take a stand on the increasing attacks by the Cambodian government on human rights defenders. The joint statement is addressed to World Bank President Ajay Banga and calls for a clear signal against the repression of civil society in Cambodia. Details Published: 22 October 2024 Read more …
Appeal: We call for a legal anchoring for sustainable procurement FEMNET has been working in the field of ‘fair public procurement’ for many years. The public sector in Germany invests about 500 billion euros annually in the purchase of goods and services (OECD 2019). As part of our membership of the CorA Corporate Responsibility Network Let's support an appeal, which calls on the Federal Government to adopt clear legal requirements for the consideration of human rights and environmental standards in the procurement of the federal, state and local governments. Details Published: 08 October 2024 Read more …
© Phillip Kofler - Pixabay.com Fair play on the ball is not enough - Fair Wear Works calls for and promotes sustainable textiles in sport The Fair Wear Works project promotes ecological and social production conditions for textiles. With workshops, it offers active support for clubs to increase sustainability in the field of sports textiles and textile merchandise. VfL Bochum 1848 is the first club in the Bundesliga to implement Fair Wear Works recommendations. Details Published: 20 September 2024 Read more …
The Dindigul Agreement is a success: Violence is decreasing – businesses now need to act The second progress report on the Dindigul Agreement shows significant progress in the fight against gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) at Eastman Exports' Natchi plant. The agreement plays a crucial role in improving working conditions and underlines the positive effect of legally binding agreements negotiated with trade unions. Businesses and political actors are now more than ever required to extend the agreement. Details Published: 16 September 2024 Read more …
© FEMNET An often neglected aspect of occupational health and safety: Gender-based violence and harassment In discussions about the health and safety of workers in the textile and footwear industry, gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) is rarely considered. However, a recent study by TURC in Indonesia (2023) and CIVIDEP in India (2023) shows that GBVH has a huge impact on workers' physical and mental health. But what can be done? Details Published: 16 September 2024 Read more …
© Nicole Hoffmann Humboldt-Gymnasium Gifhorn Four schools – one topic: Why is our clothes so dirty? The Fairtrade Town Steering Group of the City of Gifhorn annually takes the Sustainability Days as an opportunity to present sustainability issues in the city – and also in schools. This year, four lectures on ‘Dirty Clothes’ took place at the Sibylla-Merian-Gymnasium in Meinersen, as well as at the Humboldt-Gymnasium, Otto-Hahn-Gymnasium and the Vocational Schools 2 in Gifhorn. Details Published: 16 September 2024 Read more …
© Mel Rangel Speakers’ Tour highlights need for sustainable accident insurance in Bangladesh From 5 to 14 April 2024, FEMNET welcomed Tithi Afrin and Md. Shahinur Rahman from Bangladesh. The trade unionist Afrin and the labour law expert Rahman travelled through Germany together with FEMNET and gave insights into the current situation in the textile factories on their tour in universities and at evening events in various cities and presented the accident insurance in Bangladesh, the Employment Injury Scheme (EIS). Details Published: 11 September 2024 Read more …
© Tessa Stetter Summer at fashion interACTION Summer break? No, we stay active! The members of the fashion interACTION Network They were also active in the summer and exchanged views on various topics. With more than 100 members who have a wide range of professional backgrounds and interests, the network holds a wealth of experience and competences. These were used in various event formats – to train, network and exchange with each other. Details Published: 10 September 2024 Read more …
© SUE Henry Mathews Award to Dr. Gisela Burckhardt and FEMNET Annual meeting of the Association of Critical Shareholders on 14 September 2024 in Cologne discusses the Supply Chain Act. Cologne/Bonn. At the annual meeting of the Association of Critical Shareholders, experts will discuss whether the German Supply Chain Act has already had a positive effect and what expectations are associated with the European Supply Chain Act. This year, the umbrella organisation is awarding its group-critical Henry Mathews Prize to Dr. Gisela Burckhardt and the organisation FEMNET. Details Published: 10 September 2024 Read more …
© Md. Shahinur Rahman Flood disaster in Bangladesh: How climate change threatens the textile industry Since 20 August 2024, heavy rainfall has led to severe flooding in 11 districts of Bangladesh. According to the Ministry of Civil Protection, about 5.7 million people are affected, around 470,000 seek refuge in emergency shelters, and 23 people have been killed so far. Details Published: 29 August 2024 Read more …
© FEMNET ⁇ Dr. Gisela Burckhardt Can the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) help workers? In a preliminary publication of a longer article, FEMNET CEO Dr. Gisela Burckhardt analyses the current status of the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act and the European Supply Chain Act (CSDDD) with regard to their impact on workers' rights. Details Published: 14 August 2024 Read more …