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25 March 2020 Appeal to companies: Solidarity with the seamstresses in times of the corona pandemic

Globally, the corona virus is spreading. Indiscriminately each of us can hit it - regardless of gender, skin color and nationality. What does this mean for global supply chains and our global responsibility for unprotected people?

The rapid spread of the virus currently justifies drastic measures and far-reaching restrictions on our personal freedoms. In this context, companies in particular have a great responsibility to protect their employees and the employees in their supply chain. Because there is a difference: The more resources we have at our disposal – protective equipment, opportunities to retreat, job security ... – the better we can protect ourselves from the virus. And the crisis is not over yet – the economic impact is only just beginning to become visible worldwide. Unprotected populations are feared to have the greatest impact.

Supply chains are collapsing

Not only the trade in Germany is affected by Corona, there is a threat of insolvency everywhere, the Corona pandemic also affects the producers of our clothing and, above all, the seamstresses there. The coronavirus shows that supply chains can quickly collapse: When the zippers and buttons or fabrics are no longer made in China, the factories in Bangladesh stand still. From our network we learn of impending factory closures in Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh because orders are missing, reduced or preliminary products are missing. Bangladesh is reported to have cancelled orders in around 100 factories.

Kalpona Akter, head of our Bangladesh Centre for Workers Solidarity (BCWS) in Bangladesh, writes: “Companies have cancelled jobs that workers fear for their jobs and are afraid of being infected. They live from hand to mouth, many are in debt, how can they survive without wages? When workers are laid off, foreign companies should make their payments quickly so that workers receive at least their statutory severance pay.”

Pandemic threatens workers

In Bangladesh, people live in close proximity to each other, and a virus is spreading there particularly quickly. Hospitals are not prepared, protective clothing, masks and tests are missing. Many women suffer from anemia and are malnourished because the wages are not enough to live. From Tiruppur in India, we learn that the schools are already closed, but not the factories so far. Children are now on the street or alone at home, care is lacking.

In the medium term, however, we must expect factory closures. Brand companies are already cancelling orders or not placing new orders in anticipation of an impending recession and declining sales.

Solidarity is needed

Solidarity is particularly needed during this time. We stand with the seamstresses whose rights are violated daily and whose survival has now become even more difficult due to the pandemic. Right now we must show solidarity, we must not leave our partners alone.

FEMNET therefore sets up a Urgent appeal to companies in the clothing industry

• Place long-term contracts to prevent the closure of factories and the dismissal of workers - this is precisely the time when planning security is particularly necessary
• Proximities must be protected from infection: Mouthguards, protective clothing and other forms of equipment such as protective walls must be provided
• Make sure workers get enough information to protect themselves
• Workers who already have the virus or where there is a suspicion that they have it must continue to be paid during the period of quarantine or receive paid sick leave
• All measures must apply to all employees: Formally employed such as informal or short-term workers, homeworkers and migrants
• Make sure your suppliers report transparently on the number of people infected
• Regular talks should be held with trade unions to ensure job security

We must work together to ensure that the virus does not hit those who have the least resources the hardest to protect themselves from the effects. Just as each and every one of us is currently in demand to accept restrictions in solidarity and to support risk groups in a neighbourly way, companies must also implement the necessary protective measures for the people in their supply chain in solidarity and consistently. Globally active companies also bear a global responsibility for workers in the context of this global pandemic.

Gisela Burckhardt
Chairman of the Board of FEMNET e.V.