archived

Material Concerns: How responsible sourcing can deliver the goods

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:39:12 +0000

This report, co-authored by ethical trade group Impactt and the fair-trade organisation Traidcraft, looks at purchasing practices in the garment industry and sets out principles that retailers and brands can adopt to make their pruchasing more ethical.

Norms, Practices and Perceptions: Labour Enforcement in Mexico's Garment Industry

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:00:00 +0000

Coordinator: Graciela Bensusan, UAM-X
Collaborators: Melba Casella, Patricia Juan Pineda, Soledad Aragón and Aldo Reyes

This paper focuses on the institutional dimension of the current labour situation in Mexico as well as the perception of these by involved groups.

Full Package Approach to Labour Codes of Conduct

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 16:18:09 +0000

Four major steps companies can take to ensure their products are made under humane conditions

Companies reiterate concerns about violence in Cavite Export Processing Zone, Philippines

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 15:49:26 +0000

A growing number of US apparel companies are expressing their concern that there is a pattern of harassment and violence against workers, labour leaders and human rights promoters in the Philippines. At MSN's request, 8 major US apparel brands have sent a joint letter to HE Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Philippines, expressing their concern.

Child Labour: Do's and Don'ts

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 18:27:22 +0000

Steps that help or hinder the fight against child labour.

New recommendations on corporate responsibility

anamika — Sat, 19 May 2007 19:06:32 +0000

A series of Canadian government-sponsored roundtables on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the extractive industries sector (e.g. mining, oil and gas) has resulted in a set of recommendations that could raise the bar on Canadian government oversight of corporate actions.

The consensus recommendations, outlined in a report from an Advisory Group made up of industry, trade union and civil society representatives, include measures to increase industry transparency and tie government assistance to performance on human rights standards.

How Fair Is Your Eco-Gear?

kevin — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 19:34:52 +0000

Does an organic tag at a three-for-one panty sale guarantee that what you're buying is truly sustainable? Can you crank out a legit pair of green jeans for $49.99? Or does our definition of sustainability leave the workers who picked the cotton and sewed those garment in the dust? Read the NOW Magazine article here.

Freedom Of Association - archived resources

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 21:23:06 +0000

December 19, 2014

MSN's Freedom of Association in Mexico Tool Kit

Part of MSN's work to promote Freedom of Association in Mexico has focused on engaging with international apparel brands on steps they can take to ensure that their Mexican suppliers respect the right of workers to organize and bargain collectively. Our strategy has been to leverage brand influence on their suppliers to achieve a more positive climate for freedom of association in Mexican supply chains.

MSN's Freedom of Association in Mexico Tool Kit, which was updated in December 2014, sets out how brands can strengthen their FOA policies, auditing procedures and corrective action plans, as well as communication with vendors, suppliers and licensees on those policies and expectations. It also promotes greater transparency so that workers are aware of their rights and any agreements negotiated on their behalf.

(Read more)

November 18, 2009

Historic Victory: Jerzees de Honduras workers win break-through agreement

An unprecedented agreement has been struck between Russell Athletic and the union representing 1,200 unjustly laid off workers at its former Jerzees de Honduras (JDH) factory. The company has agreed to open a new facility in the area, re-hire and provide substantial economic assistance to the former JDH workers, institute a joint union-management training program on freedom of association and commit to a position of neutrality with respect to unionization, which will open the door for union representation at all Fruit of the Loom facilities in Hondura.

(Read more)

November 10, 2009

International Labour Organization mission to investigate Philippines abuses

Striking workers met by batons

The Government of the Philippines has finally agreed to allow a High-Level ILO Mission to visit the country and investigate extrajudicial killings of labour rights advocates.

Trade unions in the Philippines have been trying for two years to initiate an international investigation but had been blocked by government and employer delegations.

(Read more)

November 10, 2009

Canada needs to back ILO in the Philippines

A high-level International Labour Organization (ILO) Mission to the Philippines wrapped up on September 29, feeding hopes that international attention will help stem the tide of violence and intimidation that has been unleashed on Filipino trade union organizers and human rights advocates. The ILO Mission was charged with investigating the killings of 92 union leaders and activists since 2001.

(Read more)

Asia-Latina Women’s Exchange

Sat, 01 Oct 2005 19:56:13 +0000

Coming ten months after the demise of the Multi-Fibre Arrangement (MFA), the Asia-Latina Women's Exchange was designed to give participants an opportunity to share what the end of the import quota system has meant for workers and communities in Thailand, China/Hong Kong, Cambodia, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico and the Dominican Republic and to discuss strategies for better defending workers' rights in a post-quota industry.

What Does CAFTA Mean for the Central American Garment Industry (2005)

Sat, 27 Aug 2005 03:56:39 +0000

The US-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) was signed on May 28, 2004 by the U.S., Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. On August 15, 2004 the Dominican Republic was incorporated into the agreement. Read about its anticipated effects on the Central American garment industry. PDF Format

MFA Phase-out: A Series on Trade and Labour Rights in the Garment Industry

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 03:12:01 +0000

This series of five fact sheets explains the MFA phase-out, defines terms related to the MFA and trade, outlines a proposed action program, looks to Cambodia as a case study, and asks what CAFTA means for the Central American garment industry.

The MFA Forum’s Collaborative Framework

Thu, 09 Jun 2005 00:59:41 +0000

The MFA Forum's Collaborative Framework for Guiding Post-MFA Actions identifies the roles and responsibilities of companies, governments, international institutions and trade unions and NGOs during the post-quota period.

Managing the Transition to a Responsible Global Textiles and Garment Industry

Sat, 01 Jan 2005 03:40:21 +0000

Thirteen-page report summarizing research by AccountAbility, Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) and the World Bank on predicted impacts of the phase-out on industry, policy options for different actors, the private sector perspective on the impacts on sourcing decisions, and lessons learned from the restructuring of other industries. View Report.

NAFTA's 10 Year Failure to Protect Mexican Workers' Health and Safety

Tue, 21 Dec 2004 02:09:22 +0000

Garrett Brown, Maquiladora Health and Safety Support Network, December 2004.

This report finds that after 10 years NAFTA's Labour Side Agreement, the NAALC, failed to protect Mexican workers' rights. The author attributes these failures to problems such as lack of political will, economic disincentives, and lack of transparency. He uses two submissions to the U.S. NAO as case studies-Han Young and Auto Trim/Custom Trim.

The Puebla case under the NAFTA Labour Side Agreement

Sat, 29 May 2004 02:03:30 +0000

(2004) A summary of the public meetings and recommendations from the "Puebla Case" reviewed by the National Administrative Offices of the Canadian and U.S. governments. The complaint addressed worker rights violations at two factories located in the state of Puebla, Mexico: Matamoros Garment and Tarrant Ajalpan. It documented problems with failure to pay wages owing or legal overtime pay, long hours, and persistent health and safety violations. For more information click here