Femnet e.V.

10.02.2023: News from KW 6

Studies and Co.

Forum for the Future "Tackling Microfibres at Source": The research program was developed by the non-profit organization Forum for the Future in cooperation with the textile manufacturer Ramatex and H&M guided. The study presents the results of a 21-month research and investigation process and provides recommendations on how textile manufacturers, brands and retailers can take active steps to reduce microfiber pollution. Five important aspects that can reduce microfiber pollution: 1. Robust wastewater treatment systems 2. Conversion from wet to dry processes 3. No impediment to change due to price pressure from purchasing companies 4. Creating new ways for brands and suppliers to work together to enable sustainable solutions 5. Policy funding in research areas (e.g. impact on human health) (see also: Plastic Soup Foundation "Do Clothes Make Us Sick? Fashion, Fibers and Human Health" (PDF) or factors affecting the deposition of microfibres in the production phase, e.g. yarn and material type).

News

State of the economy: The Retail sales of clothing and footwear in Germany recorded strong year-on-year sales growth in 2022. Accordingly, revenues from textiles, clothing, shoes and leather goods in Germany in the past year were nominally 30.4% above the level of '21. However, the industry has not yet been able to make up for the significant losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: In real terms, sales of textiles, clothing, footwear and leather goods fell short of the level of '19 by 7.9% (numbers of Destatis). In view of inflation and consumer slump, the retail trade in Germany expects rather bad business this year. Sales are expected to decline by 3% in price-adjusted terms, the German Trade Association (Handelsverband Deutschland) (HDE). It is only because of inflation that turnover will increase by 2% in nominal terms, including price increases. This However, the consumer barometer for February showed a clear improvement in consumer sentiment and rose for the fourth month in a row. The Sales in e-commerce fell by around 5% EUR 101.7 billion. Especially in fashion, hobby and leisure as well as consumer electronics, spontaneous purchases are currently breaking away, according to the Industry association BEVH. Despite the recent setback, the e-commerce industry is optimistic about the future. The selection, availability and transparency in online retail would be appreciated by customers right now. Federal Minister of Economic Affairs Habeck Expects further decline in current high inflation. After 7.9% last year, an annual average of 6% is expected for '23. In January, inflation was 8.7%. (Clothing and shoes were only 2.6% more expensive in '22). In addition, gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to increase by 0.2%, as shown in the Annual Economic Report ('22 were +1.9%). This means that, contrary to what is expected in autumn, GDP is not expected to decline on an annual average in '23.

transparency: Many companies don't know which production sites are in their supply chains, or they don't have the resources or financial bandwidth to figure this out. For this reason, the specialist for traceability solutions has FibreTrace Launched a new digital platform that will be available free of charge by the end of the year and will be able to map the global textile supply chain from fibre to retail. All types of certifications and production impact data can be uploaded and combined from GOTS-Certifications until compliance with local working conditions. The blockchain-based platform with the name FibreTrace Mapped to provide transparency in an easy-to-use, globally accessible platform that removes the barrier to transparency for producers, manufacturers, brands and retailers (Presentation video).

Countries of production

Turkey and Syria: Fair wear Reports on the impact of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. According to the database of Fair wear It is estimated that there are 21 factories in total. Fair wearsupply members located in the areas affected by the earthquakes. Since the first earthquake occurred in the early morning, no losses of workers from these factories have been reported so far. The second earthquake occurred during the day, and it is said that people were able to leave the site. In some areas, factory buildings have been damaged, others have cracked, and some have remained completely unscathed. The team of Fair wear Turkey is in contact with factory managers to assess the impact on suppliers and workers. Some workers and their families are said to be trapped under the rubble of their homes. In order to support member brands, Fair wear some proposed measures are outlined. Among other things, the measures are intended to ensure that production is not resumed before approved structural engineers have classified the factory building as safe. In addition, it should be ensured that there are no unlawful redundancies of workers. Orders should not be cancelled or replaced without proper dialogue. Also Better cotton Farmers and programme partners are among the victims, and many members - including ginning plants, spinning mills and traders - are located in the affected areas. We are now looking for opportunities that Better cotton Community support in the affected areas. Sourcing Journal Reported by major fashion brands such as H&M and InditexSending money and donations in kind to Turkey. The associations and companies operating in the earthquake area collect information on the situation of employees and their families. Most of the factories are undamaged as they are new buildings. In Diyarbakir Textile factories are shut down and used to house survivors.

Bangladesh: The Government has launched a review of monthly minimum wages for workers in the ready-to-wear industry. In this context, the Ministry of Labour, under the authority of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, BGMEA and BKMEA asked to appoint representatives to represent them in the Wage Commission for the revision of monthly minimum wages. In 2018, the government last reviewed the wages of around four million garment workers and set the minimum wage for beginners from 5,300 to 8,000 Taka (about 71 euros). In recent months, workers' organizations have 20.000-25.000 Taka (approximately 222 euros) is required as a monthly minimum wage for young professionals (see also the news update of KW 38 '22). The IndustriALL-Member organisations also call on the government to include workers' representatives in the committee.

Myanmar: On February 1, the second anniversary of the coup d'état, Images on social media showed empty streets in some of Myanmar's largest cities after activists who can no longer protest safely in urban areas called for a "silent strike". People were asked to stay at home and close their businesses for several hours from 10 a.m. to show their resistance to the military junta.Tweet with photos of Khaing Zar Aung). The United Kingdom, the United States and Canada imposed new sanctions on the military on the same day, including measures aimed at stopping the supply of aviation fuel to the Air Force accused of indiscriminately bombing civilian areas. Sourcing Journal published an Update on the situation in Myanmar with o-tones from, among others, the trade unionists Khaing Zar and Myo Myo Aye, and representatives of Business and Human Rights Resource Center (BHRRC), IndustriALL, WRAP and the Ethical trading initiative (ETI). Companies such as Adidas and H&M Despite massive human rights violations, they are still living in Myanmar. Speaking in an interview Ma Tin Tin Wai of the Federation of General Workers in Myanmar (FGWM ) on the work of the trade union and workers on strike despite the repression.