Workers

At least 16 global fashion brands were mute observers to the February 2023 tremblor that devastated parts of Turkiye with only 2 taking some steps to ameliorate working conditions from the 200+ suppliers they source from.

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) has started the three-stage OECD Alignment Assessment which would help textile companies gain access to a due diligence process, enabling them to identify, assess, and mitigate adverse impacts throughout their supply chains. 

Garments traverse a complex global supply network by the time they reach stores thousands of miles away. Workers are caught in this web, exploited by factory management. Western brands escape the scrutiny of their governments by outsourcing production to low-cost countries and absolve themselves of direct responsibility. This complex system makes it hard to assign ethical responsibility, because everyone, and therefore no one, is guilty.

The RMG industry in Bangladesh has made remarkable progress since the Rana Plaza disaster a decade back. But, ground truths almost always are hard ones. And although much aid/relief has poured into the country since, it still leaves half of the survivors of that tragedy crying for justice. Clearly, something is amiss. A texfash.com analysis.

Multilateral government oversight of working conditions (at the point of production) combined with further regulations encouraging ethical supply chains (at the point of import), may be a more effective way to reduce the chances of another Rana Plaza.

What is needed is an international watchdog that puts more pressure on retailers to treat their supply chains fairly is an essential part of the puzzle. Until a regime is in place with genuine teeth to ensure retailers toe the line, the modern slavery behind high-street fashions will only continue.

The times they are a changing and Bangladesh continues to adopt advanced apparel manufacturing technology. Undoubtedly, if this country wishes to remain competitive at this critical juncture of its journey, the apparel sector needs to take the lead in innovation, exhorts Abdullah Hil Rakib, Director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

More than 50 contractors and manufacturers violate the Fair Labor Standards Act with employers illegally paying workers part or all their wages off the books, with payroll records either deliberately forged or not provided, according to a garment survey.

Multiple initiatives have been established claiming to support living wages for garment workers. But, as most of these initiatives are corporate-led and voluntary, fashion companies can opt into initiatives with weak requirements, researchers have established.

A coalition of unions and labour rights organisations have exhorted top global brands sourcing from Sri Lanka to support the highest possible standards in their supply chain.