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Ethiopia’s economy has grown quickly over the last few years, from an agricultural economy to an industrializing one. The country now has one of the highest economic growth rates in Sub-Saharan Africa. Industrial parks like Hawassa are part of the government’s plan to create jobs. The Ethiopian Investment Commission touts low wages and other benefits to attract investment. The government has set up the Ethiopian Textile Industry Development Institute, and industrial parks have been built across the country to promote light manufacturing.

But what does the special focus given to the textile and garment sector mean for factory workers? What does it mean for union organizing? Unions are concerned that the country will replicate the mistakes of other low wage economies, undermining unions to keep wages low.

This short article gives a short overview about the situation of wages and women’s right in the garment sector in Ethiopia.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has turned to an global economic crisis which affected the employment and labour market situations worldwide – as well in Bangladesh. The lockdown measures from March to May 2020 hit the economy hard and economic recovery is taking time. There are already visible signs of the impact of the economic crisis on employment and livelihoods of people.

The study analyses the impact of the health and economic crisis on the employment and labour market situations of Bangladesh and provides recommendations on possible policy responses for the short and medium turn future. It deals with the employment as a whole but also focus on how the informal sector and women have been affected.

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In the unparalleled response to the Covid-19 pandemic, trillions of dollars in economic stimulus have been made available around the world while the calls for a recovery that is in alignment with other global challenges, have never been louder. Many see beyond the pandemic a rare opportunity to build a resilient and low-carbon economic recovery. Achieving this goal requires governments to take critical actions that not only focus on safeguarding national economies during crises, but that also pave the way toward a wider economic transformation that is more resilient against future global risks.

The circular economy, as an instrument to decouple economic growth from resource use and environmental impact, opens up the way for a resilient recovery. It not only addresses the negative impacts of the linear economy, but more importantly it represents a systemic shift that builds long-term resilience, generates business and economic opportunities, and provides environmental and societal benefits.

Chapter 7 and 8 gives ideas and solutions for the fashion industry especially for rental business models and recycling infrastructure.

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A circular economy tackles the root causes of global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, while creating opportunities for better growth. It is underpinned by three principles, all led by design: eliminate waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems.

For fashion, it means ensuring that products (apparel, footwear, accessories) are used more, are made to be made again, and are made from safe and recycled or renewable inputs. A circular economy for fashion creates better products and services for customers, contributes to a resilient and thriving fashion industry, and regenerates the environment. In delivering the vision, the rights and equity of all people involved in the fashion industry are prioritised.

The report provides common definitions and explanations to underpin the vision, aiming to support transparency and consistency. The section builds on ISO and BSI definitions where applicable.

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Die bisherigen Erfahrungen mit Selbstverpflichtungen von Unternehmen und auch sogenannten Multi-Stakeholder-Initiativen deuten darauf hin, dass sie wenig zur Verbesserung von Arbeitsbedingungen beitragen. Letzteres liegt häufig an ihrer schwachen Governance-Struktur und fehlenden Sanktionsmöglichkeiten. Trotzdem befinden sich Branchenstandards und Multi-Stakeholder-Initiativen weiterhin auf dem Vormarsch.

Ein Beispiel für eine effektive Brancheninitiative, die tatsächlich die Arbeitsrealität von Millionen von Arbeiter_ innen in Bangladesch verbessert hat, ist der sogenannte Bangladesh ACCORD on Fire and Building Saftey. Dieser wird in dem Dokument kurz dargestellt, um anschließend Mindestanforderungen für einen effektiven Branchen-Standard abzuleiten.

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