Is garment workers safety priority for apparel retailers?

When non-compliance findings exist, factories are required to remedy the situation prior to their next audit. After a factory has received its audit rating, its team engages further to analyze issues found, uncover root causes, and identify necessary actions for implementing industry best practice social and environmental management systems.

VF Corp informs that, it has been actively engaged with a coalition of brands and retailers to address the fire safety risks that exist in Bangladesh, in collaboration with government, local and international NGOs and labor rights advocates and trade associations.  To date, this coalition has established and distributed detailed fire safety training materials for the apparel workers.  

At Sweden based – H&M, all its first-tier suppliers sign its ‘Code of Conduct’ before producing for H&M and it monitors their compliance with it. H&M encourages its suppliers to take more and more ownership for ensuring good working conditions and environmental performance themselves. H&M supports them in a number of ways, including the provision of training and capacity building.

It also helps them to develop and improve management systems that will avoid non-compliance on an ongoing basis. Its primary focus is on its key suppliers. In some cases, suppliers may also subcontract other factories for certain tasks. All factories in which production for H&M takes place, no matter if directly contracted or subcontracted must comply with our its ‘Code of Conduct' and are subject to its ‘Full Audit Program'.

Unfortuantely today, H&M came under fire as a Swedish television station showcased a documentary revealing the miserable conditions faced by Cambodian factory workers producing goods for the fashion retailer. 

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India