In our ongoing commitment to providing insight into the evolving landscape of labor rights within the textile and garment industry, we offer updates on the latest developments and progress, with a particular focus on developments in Bangladesh. Among other intriguing topics, this issue highlights the strong civil society pushback against the EU’s endeavour to weaken the EU Green Deal with its Omnibus approach. Additionally, we dive into how corporate lobbying is undermining EU’s proposed PFAS restrictions, despite overwhelming evidence of the chemicals' harmful effects. For an insight into defending workers rights under the LkSG, check out the entries under our Network & Events category at the end of this email!
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This comprehensive new report by the University of Notthingham’s Rights Lab and the NGO GoodWeave reveals persistent issues of modern slavery and child labor in Bangladesh's RMG sector. The report finds that 32% of adult workers earn below the minimum wage, 59% lack formal contracts, and 96% of child workers surveyed are engaged in hazardous tasks, violating labor laws. Many workers report excessive overtime, wage theft, and coercion, highlighting widespread exploitation. The study highlights the urgent need for enhanced supply chain transparency and stricter enforcement of labor laws to protect vulnerable workers, as especially subcontracted worksites are particularly affected by this.
The EU proposal to restrict PFAS – or ‘forever chemicals’ – is at serious risk of being hijacked by corporate lobbying. Industry lobbies from Europe and across the world are targetting the European Commission to protect their PFAS profits from regulation, despite overwhelming evidence of the disastrous human health and environmental consequences of this pollution. Corporate Europe Observatory's analysis of newly-released documents reveals industry's influencing tactics, and concludes: it is time for a lobby firewall to protect PFAS decision-making from corporate lobbying. Meanwhile, 97 European NGOs signed an open letter to EU Commission President von der Leyen, encouraging to proceed with the band and to end “the worst pollution crisis in human history” (pdf).
The 2024 Textile Incidents Report is now online, providing a comprehensive overview of the work behind our Textile-Incidents-Website, including the methodology and the inventory, as well as an assessment of documented cases so far. Covering key production countries like Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, the website serves as a crucial resource for risk analysis and reinforces the urgent need to strengthen due diligence obligations under frameworks like the German Supply Chain Act (LkSG). For information and exchange, please contact us at Diese E-Mail-Adresse ist vor Spambots geschützt! Zur Anzeige muss JavaScript eingeschaltet sein!.
France’s proposal to indefinitely delay the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and significantly reduce its scope has sparked strong opposition from civil society organizations. The move aligns with broader concerns over the European Commission’s upcoming Omnibus proposal, which critics argue could weaken key EU sustainability laws. Over 150 CSOs and trade unions have condemned the lack of transparent consultation, warning that these regulatory rollbacks threaten environmental and human rights protections under the EU Green Deal. The debate highlights ongoing tensions between corporate interests and due diligence obligations.
Garment workers in Bangladesh staged protests over months of unpaid wages at factories with connections to HEMA, ALDI, C&A, and Otto. Around 825 workers are affected by factory closures and unpaid wages since December. Factory owners need to ensure immediate corrective actions as part of their own human rights due diligence obligations.
Huafu Fashion Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries have been added to the UFLPA (Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act) list for sourcing materials linked to forced labor in Xinjiang. This includes ties to entities working with the Xinjiang government or the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps under so-called “poverty alleviation” or “pairing-assistance” programs, which are known to involve forced labor.
At the Tammam Design factory in Bangladesh and another factory of the Lusaka Group, there were repeated cases of sexual harassment of female workers. Instead of taking action against these incidents, 85 female workers were dismissed.
An investigation reveals that Decathlon secures ultra-low production costs by sourcing from the cheapest subcontractors in Bangladesh, including unsafe, unregulated factories. Internal documents analyzed by Disclose expose the brand’s strict "full cost control" system, tracking expenses to the gram—practices also used by Nike and Adidas. These findings add to recent allegations linking Decathlon to forced Uighur labor, raising serious concerns about its supply chain ethics.
At the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector, Kalpona Akter, founder of the Bangladesh Centre for Worker Solidarity, speaks to FRANCE 24 about how working conditions have changed since the days she was working in a garment factory at age 12, what still needs to change, and what consumers need to do. Akter urges stronger enforcement of labor laws and calls on consumers to hold brands accountable for fair working conditions.
Bangladesh’s garment industry is facing factory closures, labor violations, and safety concerns despite strong export earnings. Over 100 factories have shut down in the past six months, pushing around 100,000 workers, predominantly women out of jobs. Industry experts warn that the situation may worsen, with more closures on the horizon. In the case of Beximco, supplier for Zara’s owner Inditex, 5,000 workers have charges filed against them for protest over closure of 16 factories that left 40,000 jobless. The desperate situation has led to an increasing amount of individuals turning to crime, with rising reports of robbery and theft in Gazipur.
While RMG exports grew 12% from July 2024 to January 2025, a QIMA audit found wage and working hour violations in 33% of factories, nearly double the previous year. Meanwhile, labor rights groups warn that governance failures in safety oversight could undo post-Rana Plaza improvements. Without stronger protections, worker conditions and industry stability are at risk. However, our partner organizations report that export earnings continue to be strong, with RMG exports increasing by 12 percent from July 2024 to January 2025 and sourcing orders maintaining an adequate level.
Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has signed an 18-point agreement with labor unions and manufacturers to align labor laws with ILO conventions. While this strengthens worker rights in the garment sector, political uncertainty persists. According to our partners, Dr. Yunus suggests elections could occur by late 2025 or early 2026, pending electoral reforms—though the timeline remains unclear.
Many female workers struggle to balance full-time employment with caregiving responsibilities, with real-life stories illustrating the challenges they face. Government officials acknowledge the issue, with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs emphasizing that a robust childcare system could not only support working mothers but also create new employment opportunities in the sector.
Rising inflation and wage increases in Türkiye are pushing textile manufacturers—under pressure from European brands—to relocate production to Egypt, where costs are lower. Over the past two years, more than 200 Turkish factories have moved, resulting in the loss of 250,000 textile jobs. The shift underscores how cost-cutting strategies by global brands can destabilize entire industries, raising concerns about labor rights, job security, and economic sustainability in sourcing countries.
A new study discussed in this article highlights the harsh realities faced by migrant workers in India’s informal sector, with a focus on those employed in Gujarat’s power mills. Workers from Odisha earn around Rs 20,000 per month but endure hazardous conditions, including proximity to high-speed machinery that poses serious injury risks. Despite escaping caste-based discrimination and economic hardships, many still lack workplace protections, with industrial accidents remaining alarmingly common.
19th February 2025, 11:00-12:00am, CCC Webinar:
This webinar, hosted by the Clean Clothes Campaign, will explore how migrant garment workers in Thailand are using legal mechanisms to defend their rights under the German Supply Chain Act. The session will discuss a complaint filed on behalf of 209 Myanmar workers from the Royal Knitting Factory, who were dismissed during the COVID-19 pandemic without receiving their due wages or severance pay—despite a court ruling in their favor. The webinar will examine corporate accountability, with a focus on OTTO’s refusal to take responsibility. Registration required.
22th February 2025, 4:30-7:00pm CET, Fshion Show (Berlin):
This inclusive fashion show celebrates diversity and accessibility, emphasizing that fashion and music are universal languages. Hosted by Janina Nagel and Sema Gedik, the event highlights the importance of visibility and representation for all, featuring a sign language interpreter to ensure full accessibility. The initiative, now in its second year, is supported by Aktion Mensch and continues to promote an inclusive cultural experience. Register here.
This News Update's authoring team with partners presented their project in an OECD forum session on 10th February 2025, focusing on how rightsholder-based monitoring can strengthen due diligence in the garment sector. Find the presentation on YouTube, including the discussion on improving labor rights and addressing environmental risks, with a particular emphasis on the methods used, Community- and Worker-based Monitoring.
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