How we remind companies of their due diligence obligations On April 24, 2013, the Rana Plaza building in Savar, Bangladesh, collapsed. More than 1,100 people died and more than 2,500 were injured. For the first time, the world looked at the devastating conditions in the global fashion industry, but only for a moment. The grievances persist. How we make them visible and encourage companies to act. Details Published: 22 April 2025 Read more …
© Sina Marx ⁇ FEMNET Bangladesh in transition: Impressions of a trip in November 2024 In November 2024, FEMNET staff travelled to Bangladesh to visit partner organisations and understand the situation on the ground. The political and social tensions in the country have left visible traces, but there are also first signs of hope and change. Details Published: 04 December 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 …
© deshsangbad.com Uncertain times for textile workers after political upheaval in Bangladesh After weeks of protests with hundreds of dead, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned. Military chief Waker-Uz-Zaman announces a transitional government. Employees are concerned that they will not get their full July salary due to the government-declared rest days. European brands must now support workers in their supply chains. Details Published: 06 August 2024 Read more …
© Pieter van de Boogert Eleven years after Rana Plaza: Textile factories safer, triggers of the disaster remain Press release of the Clean Clothes Campaign 22.04.2024 Wednesday, April 24, 2024, marks the 11th anniversary of the worst tragedy in the fashion industry: the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which killed 1,138 people. On this occasion, Artemisa Ljarja from the Campaign for Clean Clothes Germany draws the following conclusion: "Although unprecedented progress has been made in improving safety in factories since then, the brutal crackdown on the protests for the increase in the minimum wage shows that fashion brands producing in Bangladesh still do not ensure that basic rights are respected in their supply chains." Details Published: 23 April 2024 Read more …
Foto: © FEMNET Delegation trip to India: Focus on gender equality, rights holders and workers' rights in the textile sector At the beginning of December 2023, FEMNET was part of a delegation trip to India. The trip was dominated by important topics such as gender equality, rights holders and workers' rights in the textile industry. This mission was carried out as part of the German government's sector project on 'Social and Ecological Transformation of Textile Supply Chains', which is responsible for the Green Button, the Siegelklarheit initiative and the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles. Details Published: 15 April 2024 Read more …
First accident insurance for textile workers in Bangladesh Bonn. Over a decade ago, in April 2013, the devastating collapse of the Rana Plaza building occurred with over 1000 fatalities, revealing the urgent need for improved safety measures in the garment industry. Since then, significant progress has been made through the Accord safety agreement, but accidents at work remain a sad reality. Details Published: 25 March 2024 Read more …
© FEMNET Between factory visits and wage negotiations: Travel report from Bangladesh Regular trips by FEMNET employees to our partners in the Southeast Asian production countries ensure that our projects have a local impact. The direct exchange with representatives of trade unions and organisations on the ground gives us important insights and assessments into the developments of the sector, and project projects can be launched according to jointly planned goals. The visit of foreign coordinator Daniela Wawrzyniak and Aika-Maresa Fischbeck, consultant for foreign projects and campaign work, to Dhaka at the end of October 2023 became a reality check: The trip took both of them right into the middle of the current wage negotiations in the textile industry. Details Published: 13 December 2023 Read more …
© NGWF Ongoing violence in Bangladesh - Companies in the Textiles Partnership must finally show their colours Joint press release by FEMNET, SÜDWIND Institute, INKOTA network and HEJSupport The recently set minimum wage in Bangladesh for garment workers at 12,500 taka per month (106 euros) continues to lead to protests and riots. Workers are deliberately injured, abducted, wrongfully charged, imprisoned, imprisoned or even killed. However, there has been no concrete support for the trade unions' demands for a higher minimum wage from purchasing companies so far. Until 26.11.2023 is now the last opportunity to take an effective position. Details Published: 21 November 2023 Read more …
© CCC New minimum wage in Bangladesh equals starvation wage Joint press release by FEMNET and the Clean Clothes Campaign Bonn/Berlin. The government of Bangladesh on Tuesday set the new minimum wage for the country's 4.4 million garment workers at 12,500 taka per month (106 euros). The amount is far below the 23,000 taka demanded by trade unions. According to studies, this amount is necessary for a decent life in Bangladesh. Although many fashion brands say they are committed to living wages, few support the unions' demand. For workers in the garment sector, the new minimum wage means that they will continue to struggle to survive and will be forced to work excessive overtime, take out loans, skip meals or even send their children to work instead of school. Details Published: 09 November 2023 Read more …
