Press archive for the year 2018

Fair fashion show on Bonn's Münsterplatz at the Rundum Fair. © Tam Tran

Bonn. "All-round fair" will take place on Saturday, September 28, at Münsterplatz: As part of Fair Week 2019, an alliance of initiatives and associations invites you to a public fair breakfast from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fairly traded coffee, tea, spreads and many other delicacies await visitors, as well as the presentation of fair-produced clothing at a fashion show as a highlight.

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On World Children's Day, FEMNET petition with more than 14,100 signatures calls on fashion companies to protect the children of their seamstresses!

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Complaint against Italian testing service provider RINA, which issued a certificate to the factory despite safety deficiencies.

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© FEMNET

Ministry of Economy recognises need for action for reforms in controls in the global supply chains of the textile industry

Berlin and Dhaka. The system of controls on safety and working conditions (social audits) in the global supply chains of the textile industry needs to be fundamentally changed. The Final declaration The OECD National Contact Point (NKS) at the Federal Ministry of Economics in Berlin in the Rana Plaza complaint procedure against the testing service provider TÜV Rheinland could pave the way for necessary reforms. The NCP recommends a dialogue between testing service providers, business associations, dealers, manufacturers and trade unions. Topics include: the transparency of audit reports and whether it makes sense for controls (social audits) to be paid by the owners of the factories checked: In addition, the NCP recommends measures that could already be implemented today, such as incorporating the experience of trade unions and workers.

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The textile alliance initiated by Federal Development Minister Gerd Müller (CSU) does not sufficiently motivate companies to commit themselves to respecting human rights in their supply chains. This is criticised by the civil society members of the Alliance on the occasion of a networking meeting that will take place on 5 June in Hanover. The companies that have joined the Textile Alliance so far cover slightly less than 50 percent of the German textile market. It is also likely that additional members will have to leave the alliance at the beginning of July if they do not comply with the obligation to draw up an annual action plan. Civil society members pointed out that the voluntary textile alliance could make meaningful contributions to the implementation of standards. However, effective legal rules applicable to all companies are necessary for the realization of human rights in the textile supply chain.

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Bonn, 1 June 2018. Many fashion companies accept that their suppliers are violating the rights of mothers and children. If there is no qualified childcare in textile factories, this violates applicable law in India, for example. On the occasion of International Children's Day, the women's rights organisation FEMNET and its Indian partner organisation CIVIDEP are launching a petition on 1 June and calling on manufacturers to improve the care situation with the #WerPasstAuf? campaign.

The international community classifies mothers and children as particularly vulnerable, especially in the world of work. As in many countries around the world, there are therefore legal regulations in India for paid maternity protection and childcare facilities in the workplace. However, implementation is often catastrophic, which was confirmed by studies by FEMNET and CIVIDEP.Indian suppliers of H&M, Cecil, Zalando, Primark and C&A were audited.

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Accord campaign 2018. Photo: © CCCVideo of the current campaign. © CCCFive years ago, the catastrophic factory collapse of Rana Plaza killed 1,134 workers. In order to further improve the security situation in Bangladesh's textile factories, the agreement on fire protection and building safety in Bangladesh is now being extended. The women's rights organization FEMNET calls on all Bangladeshi-producing fashion and textile companies to participate in this new contract.

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The #metoo movement makes it clear: Gender-based violence in the workplace is part of the daily lives of many women workers. On the occasion of International Women's Day, FEMNET calls for solidarity with seamstresses in South Asia.

Worldwide, more than a third of all women, i.e. over 800 million, suffer from violence in the workplace. Women in low-paid and insecure employment are particularly at risk, as is still the case in the global textile industry today. In India and Bangladesh alone, more than 60 percent of workers in textile factories are affected. They are pulled by the guards' hair, harassed, insulted, sexually harassed, and often even raped. There is also enormous pressure on women: Thus, if they do not meet their targets, they often have to work unpaid overtime.

To support these women in India and Bangladesh, FEMNET has Mutual legal assistance fund It helps them to assert their rights.

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Signatures handed over to Primark in Bonn on 03.02.2018. Photo:© FEMNET e.V.Signatures handed over to Primark in Bonn on 03.02.2018.
Photo:© FEMNET e.V.
70,000 people ask Armani and Primark to reveal where they have their clothes made

On Saturday 3 February 2018 at 5 pm, activists of the campaign for clean clothing, including representatives of the Bonn-based women's rights association FEMNET, will hand over a golden gift box with 70,000 signatures to the low-cost manufacturer Primark in its branch in Cologne. They point out that Primark should create transparency about its supply chain and disclose the names of its suppliers.

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Handover of the protest signatures in Hong Kong to Armani on 09.01.2018. Photo: © CCC Hong KongHandover of the protest signatures in Hong Kong to Armani representatives on 09.01.2018. Photo: © CCC Hong Kong70,000 people are appealing to major clothing brands and retailers Armani, Primark, Urban Outfitters, Forever 21 and Walmart to make transparency their New Year's resolution and publish the factories that produce their clothes. Throughout January, activists from the luxury brand Armani and the low-cost manufacturer Primark will hand over golden gift boxes with signatures in major European cities. Other brands may also expect signatures on their doorsteps at any time.

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