First partners sign up to collaborate with Fairtrade

01 Jul '16

4 min read

The FairtradeTextile Standard - launched in March - focuses on working conditions, wages, and workers' rights. It empowers factory workers and enables them to improve their working conditions collectively. It is the first standard in the industry to require living wages to be paid within a set time period. “Wages have to be increased gradually. The living wage level has to be achieved within six years,” explained Dieter Overath. In addition to the requirements for textile factories, the standard also includes requirements for brands: They have to commit to fair and long-term sourcing practices in their contracts in order to make wage increases feasible.

Factories participating in the Fairtrade Textile Programme will receive onsite support by local experts and the Fairtrade producer networks to meet the standard's requirements “We want the factory management and workers to understand the requirements, and the reasoning behind them. Therefore we offer training on environmental management, health and safety, and freedom of association", explained Ganapathi. "The development levels of the factories differ widely. So it is important to tailor our support to their individual needs."

Flocert, the independent certification body for Fairtrade, will audit the textile companies. Workers in the textile industry participate in these audits through elected representatives who inform the workforce of the results. Flocert only works with auditors who are particularly familiar with the complexity of textile production. (SH)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India

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