Working conditions in textile and garment supply chains are worse than a decade ago in spite of extensive corporate social responsibility initiatives including the application of hundreds of codes of conduct and massive expenditure by brands and retailers on armies of social auditors and CSR consultants.
This was the stark message delivered to politicians and industry leaders at a European Union sponsored conference on CSR at the Global level in Brussels.
Neil Kearney, general Secretary of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation, told the conference that while some reduction in child labour had occurred and health and safety had improved, wages in the sector had fallen by 25% in real terms over the past decade and working hours had increased by 25% with a 60 hours work week now widely accepted as the norm thanks to deliberately sloppy wording in some codes, particularly that of the Fair Labour Association.
Employment was less secure and abusive treatment of workers was more common. On key compliance issues like freedom of association and collective bargaining no progress had been achieved, said Mr. Kearney.
“Indeed, in some cases social auditors are promoting employer-dominated worker committees as alternatives to genuine trade unionism. All in all, a pretty depressing picture given the resources expended by many global corporations."
Click here to view more:
The International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation
marketing@alchempro.com
