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...Action workshop on the Supply Chain Act.
In the ballroom, the community tent of the Fairquer initiative and the student council of the Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, found the supporting program of the Recruiting Messe MG is attracting instead. On 20 May 2022, FEMNET was able to design a workshop for the students, which included not only an input on the content of the supply chain, but also an action workshop to develop their own options for action.
With more than 220 civil society networks, individual organisations and trade unions from all over the world, we are addressing the European Parliament and the EU Member States today with a joint statement. Whether from India, Brazil, USA, China or Bangladesh, all drawing organizations have one thing in common: They are calling for a strong EU supply chain law. Only a strong EU supply chain law can effectively improve the conditions for people, the environment and the climate along global value chains!
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In small steps back into classroom teaching - the annual training for the FEMNET speakers took place in hybrid format this year. In a two-day event, new educational approaches were taught.
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In blue skies and sunshine, the exchange tables were moved to the courtyard of ZeSaBo on 23 April 2022: Volunteers from the Bonn local groups of Greenpeace and Amnesty International, in cooperation with FEMNET, invited to the second change of clothes at ZeSaBo. The action attracted many people who brought well-preserved, no longer beloved clothes and found new favorite parts between the clothes racks and jeans stacks.
Visitors in front of exhibition panels in the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum
Exhibition, performance, fashion show and talk – on Sunday 24 April, this year’s Rana Plaza Memorial Day, the highlight of the FEMNET #eintshirtzumleben campaign took place in the Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum (RJM) in Cologne. The heart of the event was the exhibition of the 19 T-shirt artworks of well-known artists, such as Vera Lossau, Lilla von Puttkamer, Pipilotti Rist, Frank Schätzing or Willi Reiche. Art instead of consumption was the motto of the campaign and at the same time the conclusion of this successful event day.
The joint commitment to improved complaint structures in spinning mills and the promotion of stakeholder dialogue continues. The Tamil Nadu Alliance Initiative started its second phase in November 2021. Now the main focus is on around 40 spinning mills in the four districts of Coimbatore, Dindigul, Erode and Tiruppur.
In addition to the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and FEMNET, the four alliance companies Tchibo, the Otto Group, KiK and HUGO BOSS AG are once again participating in the project. As in the first project phase, the local NGO SAVE organizes the implementation on site.
Rising numbers of infections and renewed lockdowns in the Indian state caused delays. But now the project is gaining momentum and the first training sessions and factory visits could take place.
Putin's attack on Ukraine has far-reaching consequences for the people of Ukraine, Russia and Europe. The fashion industry is also responding to the war. Thus, many fashion companies stop their business activities in Russia. At the same time, sanctions against Putin are affecting textile supply chains and textile factories in Ukraine are being destroyed by attacks.
Disclaimer: This report is based on information we have gathered from various media outlets. You can also find a compilation in our Current news update. Please note that not all information is verifiable due to the current situation.
© SAVE, India
As part of the Textile Alliance, FEMNET has proposed to ask the Federal Government in an open letter on Women's Day on 8 March to finally ratify the ILO Convention 190 against Gender-Based Violence in the Workplace. A total of 32 alliance members, including 17 companies, have signed a letter to Minister Heil (Ministry of Labour) and Minister Schulze (BMZ).
Putin’s cruel war in Ukraine shows us once again what destructive forces dictatorships can develop – and how important resistance is. active protection of human rights and a strong civil society are. We express our solidarity with the courageous people in Ukraine who are fighting against the violent attack and for their lives. In particular, on International Women's Day, we declare our solidarity with all women who are exposed to hardship and violence.
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On 23 February 2022, the EU presented its draft pan-European supply chain law. This is a good signal for compliance with human rights and climate protection along global supply chains. In terms of the size of the companies, the EU draft is more ambitious than the German one. At the same time, there is also a lack of sufficient liability rules for companies or references to gender-sensitive measures to protect workers, especially women and girls, from exploitation and violence.
