AEPC workshop on ensuring safe garment sub contracting

Mr. H K L Magu, Sr. Vice Chairman-AEPC inaugurated the workshop. Mr Ashok Logani, Chairman DISHA Subcommittee, AEPC introduced the workshop theme. Mr Vijay Mathur ASG at AEPC and Chandrima Chatterjee, Director Compliance AEPC along with representatives from various brands and NGO’s were also present in the meeting.

Home workers, contract labour, migrant workers, etc are the target groups that work in this sub-contracted unit, they suffer due to inadequate law and being in unorganized sector. This endemic issue in the industry carries a huge reputational risk. Therefore, the workshop is an effort to focus on the ways by which this issue can be managed. The focus was on:

- Improving on the transparency levels within the supply chains

-Working in collaboration with stakeholders.

The AEPC in association with ETI discussed on the associated risks on sub contracting in the Garment Industry and need for leaner supply chains.  This national level discussion deliberated on strategies for collaborative work in building leaner and transparent supply chain which are beneficial, both for the garment manufactures and workers.

Inaugurating the workshop Mr H K L Magu state that, “ To address the issue of sub-contracting and issues related to labor we have a programme called DISHA which trains factories in safeguarding the interest of the workers and ensure compliance. DISHA trains and educate factories on these issues.

"We have reached to the rural and sub-urban areas and trains the workers and provide them with employment too. In this programme 233 factories has already been enrolled and around 60 have completed the assessment and are ready for certification.” AEPC has 8000 members of which 5000 units have in house facility to meet the demand, rest 3000 factories go for sub- contracting therefore, it is the need of time to educate and train those factories in the risks associated with sub- contracting and issues resulting thereof, he added. 

Mr. Ashok Logani Chairman DISHA Subcommittee, AEPC in his address said, “Today, the brands and manufacturers have a shared concern and responsibility to adhere to best labour practices. Brand image and action against exploitation of workers in the supply chain is very important and in this regard, labour compliance is critical. Recognizing the need for providing a platform for multistakeholder dialogue on issues like supply chain transparency, concerns related to contract workers , job work outsourcing, , overtime rules & rates etc..

"The Council has initiated Roundtables in various cities on labour issues. The first in the series was on managing the risks of contract labour, held on 8th December, 2010 in Gurgaon.” The contract workers must get all facilities such as minimum wages, weekly off and safe working condition and social safety net. But at the same time, some of the present provisions are not in tune with the requirement of the Indian industry facing severe competition in a globalised world. This issue needs to be addressed for attaining parity.