Femnet e.V.

Multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs) are increasingly used as a default mechanism to address human rights challenges in a variety of industries. MSI is a designation that covers a broad range of initiatives from best-practice sharing learning platforms (e.g., the UN Global Compact) to certification bodies (e.g., the Forest Stewardship Council) and those targeted at addressing governance gaps (e.g., the Fair Labor Association). Critics contest the legitimacy of the private governance model offered by MSIs. The objective of this paper is (1) to theoretically develop a typology of MSIs, and (2) to empirically analyze the legitimacy of one specific type of MSI, namely industry-specific MSIs. We argue that industry-specific MSIs that set out to govern corporate behavior have great potential to develop legitimacy. We analyze two industry-specific MSIs—the Fair Labor Association and the Global Network Initiative—to get a better understanding of how these MSIs formed, how they define and enforce standards, and how they seek to ensure accountability. Based on these empirical illustrations, we discuss the value of this specific MSI model and draw implications for the democratic legitimacy of private governance mechanisms.

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As the lowest level in the subcontracted supply chain, homeworkers are invisible and subject to exploitation. Existing codes of conduct and monitoring schemes favor the rights of the visible workforce employed in industrial settings in tier 1 factories. We conducted qualitative field research with the Self employed Women’s Association’s (SEWA) embroidery center in New Delhi, India. Findings provide understanding of the sustainable management policies and practices that have been put in place to assure global buyers that homework can be carried out in ways consistent with standards for human rights, making it a protected component of sustainable supply chains.

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The country study of Albania gives an overview of the Albanian garment and shoe sector. Going further, the study provides facts of the wages paid for garment and shoe workers as well as it gives information about the working conditions in Albania. Furthermore, Interviews were conducted with 52 workers in 4 factories. The study closes with recommendations for action.

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This study attempts to depict a complicated and multi-dimensional picture of labour standards in the GSCs of garments, footwear, and electronics within the context of international trade regimes and the national industrial development of Vietnam.

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The study discusses the transformation of the National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) in an era of declining membership utilizing the power resources model. Union membership among factory workers had declined from around 60,000 in 2000 to less than 20,000 in 2016. The decline in membership means a fall in the structural power which had defined the union in terms of its vibrancy and strength in collective bargaining and visibility in the Nigeria labour movement since inception in 1978. The study shows that the union has tried to regain strength and vibrancy through different phases of challenge in the industry by building capacities to expand associational and societal powers through organizing of self-employed tailors and campaigns and advocacy for the revival of textile factories. Organizing strategies for self-employed tailors have promoted a transition from manifest to active membership and integration into the union. In particular, the union endeavors to consider the peculiar needs of the self-employed tailors for protection, access to credit, as well as capacity and skill development. To sustain and deepen this process, it is important that union education and training strategies must address both the soft and hard skills requirement of the self-employed tailors. 

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