IndustriALL-Esprit agreement to improve workers' rights

15 Aug '18

2 min read

Courtesy: Industriall Union

IndustriALL Global Union recently signed a global framework agreement with multinational fashion brand Esprit, which committed to respect, protect and champion the human rights of workers in its supply chain. The agreement covers 525,000 workers at more than 1,100 suppliers making textile, footwear and apparel products for Esprit in 27 countries.

In the agreement, Esprit, which is headquartered in Germany and Hong Kong, recognized the crucial role that freedom of association and collective bargaining play in empowering workers and developing well-functioning industrial relations.

IndustriALL and Esprit will collaborate to set up mechanisms to make it easier for local trade unions to negotiate detailed collective agreements with all suppliers to Esprit at the national or local level, according to an IndustriALL press release.

Both will collaborate to ensure that fundamental International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards are applied by their contractors, subcontractors and principle suppliers.

Esprit will develop a strategy to develop an enabling environment for freedom of association and collective bargaining, design and implement grievance mechanisms to ensure workers’ access to remedy, Implement a training programme for workers, factory managers and suppliers, and jointly develop a methodology to periodically assess the impact of purchasing practices at the worker level of the supply chain. (DS)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India

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