Workers

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.

A new paper investigates what industry actors learned during the COVID-19 pandemic to prepare for future crises, and weighs what policies and actions can advance sustainability and inclusivity in the global apparel sector. It concludes that brand, manufacturer, union, NGO and government stakeholders all firmly agree on the need for social protection systems.

Suppliers participating in the Better Buying Purchasing Practices Index 2022, and answering questions in the ‘Win-Win Sustainable Partnership’ category (which measures brands’ and retailers’ contributions to reducing industry-wide audit duplication) were asked if their buyer accepted standardized audits rather than buyer-specific audits or assessments. 

Dressed to kill? You being naughty or nice!? No, we are not being knotty. This is what a new report by Oxfam is titled as it seeks to encourage ethical consumption by naming (and essentially shaming) retail brands that fail to disclose where their products come from.