Femnet e.V.

This factsheet was published by FEMNET in cooperation with six other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to explore the much-discussed roles for MSI and certifications shortly before an important vote in the EU Parliament in May 2023.

The NGOs involved see MSI and certifications as dangerous loopholes to the detriment of people and the environment, which must be prevented.

This short paper puts together the main arguments against these loopholes (safe harbour).

More and more municipalities in Germany are making sure that at least the basic labour rights are respected when purchasing certain goods. FEMNET had an exemplary study of working conditions in factories in India and Tunisia, which also produce workwear for the German and European markets.

• The role of European companies in public procurement (PDF)
• Working conditions in the workwear industry in Tunisia (PDF)
• Working conditions in the workwear industry in India (PDF)

The factsheets are part of the FEMNET campaign #WerPasstAuf originated. Together with our partner organisations, we are fighting to ensure that fashion companies, together with their suppliers, provide good childcare for workers in India and Bangladesh and safeguard the rights of pregnant workers within the framework of legal requirements.

• Download factsheet "#Who cares that companies take responsibility?" (PDF)
  For working mothers and their children, the massive human rights violations in the textile industry have a particularly serious impact.
• Download factsheet "#WhoTakes care of the children?" (PDF)
  In order for manufacturers to react, we need more transparency and effective controls.

FEMNET has been involved since 2015 #AgainstModern slavery in Indian spinning mills. On four pages, this factsheet summarizes the most important findings, analyses and recommendations of the study of the same name.

• Download factsheet on the study "The modern form of slavery in Indian spinning mills" (PDF)

Around 30 million people work in the textile industry worldwide. Up to 90% of them are women and girls. Exploitation, slavery, discrimination and unpaid overtime are part of their daily work. Violence against women in particular is a widespread problem in the clothing industry across countries.

• Download factsheet "Gender Violence in the Clothing Industry" (PDF)
• Download factsheet "Women in the clothing industry of Ethiopia" (PDF)
• Download Factsheet "Women in Bangladesh's clothing industry" (PDF)
• Download Factsheet "Women in Myanmar's clothing industry" (PDF)

‘Who cares?’ – encourage companies to take social responsibility for their workers

Who takes care of the children of workers while they sew our clothes? And who is actually taking care that companies exercise their duty of care and comply with laws? With the #WerPasstAuf? campaign, FEMNET e.V. is committed to ensuring that companies assume their social responsibility. Together with our partners in India and Bangladesh, we are fighting, among other things, for fashion companies to set up good childcare for local workers together with their suppliers and for the rights of pregnant workers to be respected so that the health of mothers and children is not endangered.

In this context, we require companies to:

1. Carrying out social responsibility – complying with human rights due diligence.
2. Ensuring the implementation of social standards among suppliers through membership in a multistakeholder initiative.
3. Create transparency: disclose the names and addresses of the suppliers and also publish the main social audit results.
4. Support suppliers in implementing social standards – no ‘cut & run’ in case of difficulties.
5. Establish the right to existential wages and freedom of organisation as part of corporate policy and publish an implementation strategy for this with a concrete timetable.
6. engage in dialogue with trade unions and non-governmental organisations in the producing countries.

Download the factsheet “#Who cares that companies take responsibility?”