Femnet e.V.

The report gives an overview of the Indian Leather and Footwear Industry in terms of its geographical distribution, its structure and its position in world trade. It gives an introduction into labour rights in India regarding the freedom of association, social insurance, occupational safety and health as well as labour contracts and minimum wages. Based on a survey, the report sums up findings regarding labour rights violations in the Indian leather and footwear industry. Concluding, it gives recommendations to the Indian leather and footwear companies, the Indian government as well as EU member states.

Editorial team: Bhattacharjee, Anannya; Deter, Melanie; The German version was published under the title ‘Auf der Stelle (ge)tritt. Labor rights violations in the Indian leather and footwear industry’.

Mehr Details

A new report by Cividep India and Framtiden i våre hender (Future In Our Hands), Norway looks at the state of occupational health and safety in tanneries in Tamil Nadu. Interviews with tannery workers in Chennai and Ranipet revealed shocking negligence and violation of Indian laws governing hazardous industries. Women who work as helpers and migrant workers from Eastern and Northern States are especially vulnerable.

Mehr Details

Garment manufacturers in Asia, the industry’s largest global hub for production, have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many have been forced to shut down operations either temporarily or permanently, and this has left millions of garment workers, the majority of whom are women, unemployed, furloughed or facing reduced hours and income. Although longstanding to the sector, the pandemic gave acute exposure to the fragility and structural inequities of the garment supply chain, something that has led those in the industry to once again question its future viability. Already, debates are emerging about how production dynamics and practices will have to transform to survive in the post-pandemic era.

To explore the nature of these changes and examine the implications for production systems and practices in Asia, the ILO conducted a qualitative study in July 2020 with a group of 16 industry experts. The results provide an early and tentative picture of industry sentiment on key questions related to the future of Asian garment production, including the role of technology, buyer-supplier relationships, and the impact on workers.

Mehr Details

The country profile provides basic information on the clothing industry and wage situation in Moldova. In terms of wages, average wages, minimum wages and subsistence wages are discussed. The country profile shows wage-related labour and human rights violations and formulates demands on brands and retailers. It summarizes the results of an on-site investigation and statements from interviews with workers and gives case studies.
The country profile is linked to the study ‘Abandoned: Women workers’ poverty wages in garment factories in Eastern Europe and Turkey’

Mehr Details

Low wages, involuntary overtime, lack of protection against health and safety risks – these grievances are widespread in the footwear value chain.
The fact sheet summarizes a study that examined working conditions in Chinese supplier companies that produce for European brand companies.
Based on a survey of workers in three shoe factories in Guangdong Province, China, conducted by SOUTHWIND partner Globalization Monitor at the end of 2015, an alarming picture of shoe production in China emerges, where state violence is often used to suppress strikes for better working conditions.

editorial: Grigentin-Krämer, Sandra; Mauz, Katharina; Based on the study of the same name

Mehr Details