Campaign #Against violence against textile workers 16 September 2024 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. Gender-based violence significantly reduced The report, published by the Tamil Nadu Textile and Common Labour Union (TTCU), the Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA) and the Global Labor Justice-International Labor Rights Forum (GLJ-ILRF), shows a significant decrease in incidents of gender-based violence and harassment in the factories that joined the agreement. This development is the result of the consistent implementation of the measures laid down in the Dindigul Agreement. The Dindigul Agreement, signed in April 2022, is a legally binding agreement between the Tamil Nadu Textile and Common Labour Union (TTCU) and Eastman Exports aimed at ending gender-based violence and harassment in the factories. The agreement requires not only the factory, but also international brands such as H&M, Gap Inc. and PVH to take action to support and enforce the commitments set out in the Dindigul Agreement. For women workers in the textile industry, the agreement means protection and security. Training programmes, safe complaint structures and the active participation of TTCU have created a working environment that empowers women and protects their rights. These achievements show how effective the agreement is in fighting systemic violence in the industry. Strengthening compliance with international labour standards In addition to improving working conditions in factories, the Dindigul Agreement contributes to compliance with International Labour Organization (ILO) international labour standards. This includes the right to freedom of association and protection against discrimination based on caste or migration status. Adapting to these global standards not only improves the situation of workers, but also creates stable working conditions and trust from which all sides benefit. A positive agreement for all The report shows that the agreement not only improves working conditions, but also leads to a more stable working environment. Less turnover, higher employee satisfaction and trust contribute to a better working atmosphere. Businesses need to act In the light of these achievements, the Dindigul Agreement is seen as a model for other regions and sectors. FEMNET and its partners are calling on companies worldwide to join this initiative. The agreement proves that the protection of workers’ rights and compliance with international standards are not obstacles to economic success – on the contrary, they contribute significantly to this. themeGender-based violence in the workplacedetail2024, English, 28 pages, DIN A4DownloadYear 2 progress report PDF, 21 MBThe report was commissioned by the Supervisory Committee, which consists of the signatories to the Agreement, and covers the period from January to December 2023. The indicators (KPIs) and the scope of the report were jointly developed by the Committee over several months. The survey was led by Cornell University's Global Labour Institute. Other sources: Asia Floor Wage: Progress report on the second year of the Dindigul Agreement: 76% of complaints resolved within two weeks Guest article Pauline Jerrentrup: Legally binding trade mark agreements – the solution to the problem?
