Tchibo explains, “Experiences from the course of the project in Bangladesh, China and Thailand show that emphasis and focus on a multi-stakeholder dialogue, promotes compliance with social standards”. 

Another German retailer - The adidas Group informs that it is committed to ensuring safe working conditions in factories throughout its global supply chain. These active efforts are guided by its core values as a company as well as by its workplace standards.

“The workplace standards are rules we apply at our own sites and our suppliers’ factories to cover health and safety, labour rights and environmental protection. The standards draw from international law and the ILO conventions, and follow the model code of conduct of the World Federation of Sporting Goods Industry”, it says.

Informing about the standards, adidas reveals, “We insist on a safe and hygienic working environment. Alongside, occupational health and safety practices which prevent accidents and injury must be promoted, which includes protection from fire, accidents and toxic substances”.

“Lighting, heating and ventilation systems must be adequate. Employees must have access at all times to sanitary facilities which should be adequate and clean. Finally, business partners must have health and safety policies which are clearly communicated to employees. Where residential facilities are provided to employees, the same standards apply”.

It adds that monitoring compliance is carried out by the adidas Group’s Social and Environmental Affairs (SEA) staff and commissioned third party experts (such as the Fair Labour Association (FLA), while independent auditors verify compliance or evaluate its workplace standards’ programmatic activities.

UK based retailer - Arcadia Group which has brands like Miss Selfridge, Topshop and Topman within its fold mentions that, it has long-term relationships with its suppliers and works with them to make lasting improvements to working, social and environmental conditions.

“Our ethical policy and programme is based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) core labour standards and other relevant guidance, good practice and regulations”, its says.

“Our policy addresses issues such as working conditions, livelihoods of the people who make our products and community involvement and we encourage open discussions with any organisation wanting to improve our current working conditions and conditions within the communities we work in”.

Arcadia Group had unveiled ‘Fashion Footprint’ in 2007, with an objective to monitor and manage the social and environmental impacts of its business. According to Arcadia, “Good businesses recognize that sustainability makes business sense, and we are committed to being part of this”.