More than 50 organisations call on brands, governments and employers in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to ensure the safety of textile workers The lives of textile workers are at risk. While the Delta virus variant is spreading in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the garment factories are working at full capacity. Textile workers are exempted from lockdown to meet orders from brand manufacturers headquartered in countries with high vaccination rates. In a letter initiated by the Clean Clothes Campaign, trade unions and civil society organisations from around the world address political and business leaders and call on them to take immediate action. Details Published: 31 August 2021 Read more …
Bundestag adopts supply chain law - what can textile workers hope for now? For a long time, FEMNET has advocated a legal regulation for companies to ensure compliance with labour and human rights requirements of their suppliers. The Supply Chain Act has now been passed. Details Published: 14 June 2021 Read more …
Human Rights before Profits - Towards a UN-Treaty! 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. Details Published: 21 May 2021 Read more …
Never again Rana Plaza: Only a binding law can protect people along the supply chain This week marks the eighth anniversary of the worst factory accident in the history of the textile industry, the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka, Bangladesh. On 24 April 2013, 1135 textile workers were killed and over 2438 injured. Many workers still suffer from the consequences of their injuries and were unable to find work due to their disabilities. The compensation paid to victims and survivors is disproportionate to the suffering that people have experienced. Details Published: 19 April 2021 Read more …
© FEMNET Supply Chain Law is Coming! - but with compromises The supply chain law is coming, that's for sure. A positive move, as the law can be passed before the upcoming federal election this year. As a result, companies are obliged to take responsibility for human rights and the environment. Violations should be controlled by a federal agency. If an undertaking breaches its obligations, the authority may impose fines and exclude the undertaking from public contracts. This is, after all, a step forward from the previous voluntary approaches. Details Published: 12 February 2021 Read more …
70 economists call for supply chain law In one 70 economists speak out in public (PDF file) for the introduction of a supply chain law in Germany. From an economics perspective, a supply chain law is necessary and feasible, according to the signatories. The project has been controversial between the coalition parties for months and is repeatedly delayed. Details Published: 14 January 2021 Read more …
© Initiative Supply Chain Act Initiative protests with more than 222,222 signatures at the Federal Chancellery - Cabinet debate on supply chain law postponed again Activists of the Supply Chain Act initiative demonstrated today in Berlin. The meeting for a supply chain law has been postponed again. The demonstrators set up an oversized legal framework and symbolically handed over a petition with more than 222,222 signatures to the Federal Chancellery. Together with the alliance of more than 100 civil society organisations, FEMNET is calling for the law to no longer be postponed. Details Published: 09 September 2020 Read more …
Delay in final spurt – Altmaier blocks draft supply chain law The key points for a supply chain law announced for the end of August are being delayed. The reason for this is the continued blockade of Minister of Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier, who is trying to prevent a legal duty of care for companies. An alliance of 100 organizations is calling for an end to this blockade. Details Published: 01 September 2020 Read more …
E-mail protest campaign - Call against resistance to the Supply Chain Act Since spring 2020, we have come much closer to a supply chain law. Federal Ministers Heil and Müller have announced that they will present a law. The chancellor and more and more German companies are in favour of this step. However, there is resistance. Minister Altmeier opposes the project in order to protect companies. As part of the Supply Chain Act initiative, we therefore call for joint protest action against this blockade. Details Published: 06 August 2020 Read more …
© FEMNET Gender equality now – including in the Supply Chain Act! Women and girls are particularly affected by the negative effects of global economies. They are paid less than their male counterparts and experience sexualised violence and harassment in the workplace. In August, the Federal Ministers plan to adopt cornerstones for a supply chain law in the Cabinet. Together with an alliance of 12 human rights and development organisations, we are calling for more gender equality in global supply chains. Details Published: 04 August 2020 Read more …