Dear friends of FEMNET,

The year is coming to an end and we, like you, are looking back. But instead of starting with the balance sheet of another difficult year in the ups and downs of the coronavirus pandemic, we are first looking forward, because: The current political developments in Germany are positive.

The coalition agreement of the new government states: ‘Together with trade unions, businesses and civil society, we are committed to fair and formal working conditions and living wages worldwide’. The new government wants to support an ‘effective EU Supply Chain Act’ and the recently adopted German Supply Chain Act is to be ‘implemented without change and, if necessary, improved’. The traffic light coalition has thus set targets for which FEMNET would also like to work next year. The commitment to the development education work of civil society in Germany is also to be strengthened. Education is an important concern for us and we hope to be able to resume our work in and with schools and students at universities in presence from January.

In retrospect, we can celebrate some successes. In June, the Supply Chain Act was passed, for which FEMNET has been a strong advocate for years. In the same month, our CEO Dr. Gisela Burckhardt was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit for her tireless commitment to textile workers in the Global South. The FEMNET student conference in November gave the decision-makers of tomorrow a comprehensive insight into the complex challenges of the fashion industry. In addition, our Solidarity campaign #eintshirtzumleben.

While Europe experienced at least some more relaxed summer months in 2021, the situation in the producing countries worsened. In May, the pictures from India shook us, where people were treated in cars in front of the hospitals and waited in vain for oxygen. Despite the rapid spread of the Delta variant and national lockdowns, textile production in Bangladesh was maintained. Since the military coup in February, the textile workers in Myanmar have suffered not only from the corona crisis, but also from the military's reprisals.

The entire FEMNET team would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your valuable support of our work for textile workers in the global South. It is a good feeling to know you by our side. We wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a good start to 2022.

A stimulating reading wishes
the FEMNET Team

PS: Do you want to make a special person happy at Christmas? Then give something special!

© FEMNET

Myanmar: The effects of the military coup are fatal.

The atrocities of the military are increasing instead of decreasing: Over 1,300 dead, thousands of prisoners in the prisons, the de facto head of government Aung San Suu Kyi was sentenced by the military to four years in prison. Trade unions are calling on businesses to withdraw responsibly from the country, with a ‘silent strike’ taking place across the country on 10 December. In April, trade unionist Myo Aye was imprisoned by the military in Myanmar. Since then, we have been very worried about our girlfriend. On October 22, we received the good news that she was released. We are relieved that Myo Aye is back with her family! But many others remain in custody.

To the report on our website...

Donate to Myanmar...

Art – Exhibition – Dialogue – Participation. From throwing away to appreciating people & materials

On November 25, the international day against violence against women, FEMNET launched the five-month solidarity and education campaign #eintshirtzumleben. At the center is the T-shirt as a symbol of fast-paced cheap fashion. With the campaign, we want to highlight the value of a T-shirt – for us as the wearer and for the unknown closer. With the launch of the campaign, a broad-based hands-on action on social media started: People use selfie photos or videos to tell the story of their favorite T-shirt. At the same time, textile workers from the Global South tell their own story. People at both ends of the supply chain enter into dialogue.

To the report on our website...

Brussels pushes EU supply chain law to the long bank

The Supply Chain Act for Germany has been adopted since June 2021 and finally holds German companies accountable. Now, an EU supply chain law is the next step in protecting human rights and the environment in supply chains. However, there have been delays here for months. The draft EU Supply Chain Act, originally planned for June 2021, is thus being postponed for the third time, presumably to spring 2022.

Meanwhile, the European Coalition for Business Justice and 60 civil society organisations have sent an open letter to EU Commissioners and other policy makers calling on them to make the future human rights and environmental due diligence legislation of companies gender-sensitive.

To the report on our website...

Open letter to the European Commission (PDF file)

40 textile alliance companies complete trial run for supply chain law

Until 13. In December 2021, 40 out of 55 member companies of the Textile Alliance published their reports on the implementation of human rights, environmental and corruption-related due diligence obligations. Although these reports are mandatory, large companies such as H&M, Primark or Puma have still not published any reports. A first review of the Reports published online so far Revealed: In terms of risk analysis and measures, some companies still have a lot to do to comply with future legal requirements.

To the report on our website

FEMNET also publishes roadmaps and review reports as a member of the alliance:

• FEMNET Roadmap 2021/2022 (PDF file)
• FEMNET Progress Report 2019/2020 (PDF file)

© S. Kaldonek

Digital student conference gives decision-makers of tomorrow comprehensive insight into the complex challenges of the global fashion industry

On the 4th and 5th of November it was time again: FEMNET invited to the student conference for the fifth time. This year digitally and under the motto ‘It’s time to act!’. The future leaders of an industry in deep crisis and facing fundamental changes were given a comprehensive insight into the complex challenges of the global fashion and textile industry. The main focus of the conference was to show opportunities for action and to become active together with the students.

To the report on our website...

To the recap video...

© froodmat - photocase.de

Climate & clothing

‘Klima & Klamotten’ is a cross-media project by LizzyNet Redaktion and FEMNET e.V. for and with young people who enjoy fashion and textiles and feel the urge to make the world more sustainable and fair. The project offers young people the opportunity to learn how much our clothing consumption harms the climate, to get to know alternatives to fast fashion and to try them out. For this purpose, city tours and workshops will be offered in the future.

To the report on our website...

© andresr - istock.com

Are sustainable textiles more expensive? New study published

Since the current data situation is more than patchy, the study ‘Sustainability is not in vain’ seeks to identify the relevant factors for pricing or differences in the pricing of conventional textiles compared to sustainable textiles by incorporating the expertise of the various actors. In summary, the central question of the additional costs of sustainable textiles cannot be answered unequivocally. Even textiles that meet demanding sustainability requirements are sometimes no more expensive than their conventional counterparts.

To the report on our website...