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© FEMNET

On April 24, 2013, the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh collapsed, killing 1,134 textile workers. Now, seven years after what is arguably the biggest catastrophe in the clothing sector, general working conditions for workers have improved little. Especially in the current corona crisis, it is also clear how little responsibility the big fashion companies really take on for their textile value chains. Unfortunately, many planned events and demonstrations had to be cancelled, so we are starting a special event for this year's Memorial Day. Join in action!

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The NGWF trade union distributes educational brochures and food in Bangladesh. © NGWF

The NGWF trade union is committed to the health and care of workers in the textile industry. In order to protect workers from infection and reduce the risk of pandemics, NGWF has published brochures on COVID-19 and necessary prevention measures. The leaflets were distributed in the local Bengali language as well as in English.

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Corona crisis causes emergencies. Food supply to textile worker in Bangladesh. © NGWF

Bangladesh accounts for 75% of the textile industry's exports. The impact on employees in the absence of payments and new orders is catastrophic. Rubana Huq, president of BGMEA, said buyers had canceled $3.15 billion worth of orders in 1,134 factories or did not take off goods.

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In addition to food, help with communication and rental payments is urgently needed.© SAVE

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the GOI to impose a curfew, which entered into force on 23 March 2020, was originally intended to last until 14 April 2020 and was ultimately extended until 3 May 2020. The effects are drastic and also affect the textile workers in Bangalore's textile industry.

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© SAVE

Globally, supply chains are collapsing due to the coronavirus pandemic. In the face of factory closures, wage losses, rising food prices and strict curfews, the situation for precariously employed textile workers is becoming increasingly severe. FEMNET has set up an emergency fund to protect themselves and their families and ensure their existence. In India, FEMNET's partner organizations have started distributing food.

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Food distribution to migrant workers on 4 April 2020. © SAVE

Workers from Tamil Nadu have an employment contract with the factory, which either includes a monthly wage or they are paid by piece. They have not received any wages since March 23, 2020. There is no short-time work allowance, as in Germany, where the state supports companies. However, citizens in need can receive food from Tamil Nadu with the help of a ration card.

FEMNET's long-standing partner organisation SAVE At the end of March 2020, the The precarious situation of migrant workers reacts and currently takes care of the care of migrant workers in particular, who do not receive support from the state via the ration card.

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Food distribution to migrant workers on 31 March 2020. © SAVE

With the outbreak of the corona crisis, the government of Tamil Nadu imposed a curfew from 23 March to around 14 April 2020. Suddenly there were no more trains or intercity buses. Thousands of migrant workers are stuck. Some migrant workers made their way home on foot - hoping to find a bus along the way - because when all factories are closed, they no longer receive a wage and have to starve.

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© Daria Nipot - Depositphotos.com

Bonn / Berlin. The COVID-19 crisis affects all actors in the textile supply chain. However, it hits the weakest particularly hard. Fashion brands and retail companies have suffered a blatant loss of sales due to the stagnation of public life in this country. However, the economic pressure is passed on: Orders to supplier companies in Bangladesh or Cambodia are cancelled and goods that have already been completed are no longer accepted or paid for. The suppliers therefore dismiss the already poorly paid workers or close them completely. For workers, the growing risk of COVID-19 infection on the ground in the event of poor health care is combined with extreme economic hardship due to a lack of wages.

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© FEMNET

Procurement procedures contain their pitfalls. The inclusion of minimum social and environmental standards often does not make things easier. But even with little experience, a fair award is feasible. Together with lawyer André Siedenberg, FEMNET has developed a digital award tool: an online decision-making aid for all those who want to procure fairer.

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© City of Bonn Barbara Frommann

More and more municipalities are making their way to get fairer. However, the concrete implementation is not always so simple. FEMNET has advised smaller municipalities on fair purchasing practices. Now let's take the “lessons learnt“ in one manual together: Our examples show that there are ways to achieve something - even if the staffing level is thin, the political backing is (still) lacking or there are legal uncertainties.

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