About us
This website is part of the project „Multi-actor partnership for improved due diligence implementation in the textile sector via Worker- and Community-based Monitoring“- a joint project of the German civil society organisations FEMNET, HEJSupport, INKOTA-netzwerk and SÜDWIND with the Bangladeshi partner organisations Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) and Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO). Further project partners include WageIndicator Foundation, Mondiaal FNV and the Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF).
With this project the project partners aim to support companies to fulfill their due diligence obligations in the textile supply chain and protect workers and their environment. This is achieved with the help of two monitoring procedures that are implemented in this project and initially focus on the Savar sub-district of Dhaka in Bangladesh, but are scalable:
- Worker-based monitoring (WBM):
With a tried and tested method, workers from garment and textile factories are interviewed to collect data on wages and working conditions to assess compliance with labour law as well as provide reliable information on risks and violations through the direct involvement of rights holders. The surveys are done with workers outside the factories, compared with Bangladeshi labour law and international standards that apply, clearly presented online and updated annually. Trade unions can use the data in negotiations with supplier factories to achieve an improvement in wages and working conditions. In addition, it helps companies to have a more in-depth insight in social risks at supplier as part of their HRDD obligations.
- Community-based monitoring (CBM):
Negative environmental impacts in communities located in the direct vicinity of the textile industry are recorded together with the residents, documented and collected in a database. The cases are forwarded to the local authorities so that they can take supervisory and enforcement measures. Additional samples accompany the CBM to determine and scientifically substantiate the effects of specific chemicals on the environment and people.
In addition to these two monitoring procedures, the project also focuses on setting up, collecting and regularly updating the database on which this website is based. This database showcases and tracks publicly available information on incidents, labour rights violations and infringements from production countries. For now, this project focuses on Bangladesh, but scaling is possible to other districts and cities, as well as other countries.
Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), established in 1995, is the only labour institute of Bangladesh. Protecting workers rights is the main objective of BILS and it strives to promote just and worker friendly policies and laws in Bangladesh. It also plays a catalyst role in bridging trade unions, civil labour market issues.
Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) is a non-profit and non-government action research organisation in Bangladesh that is committed to protecting biological diversity and ensuring ecological balance. ESDO strives to improve the livelihoods, socio-economic status, and environmental education of some of the most vulnerable communities in Bangladesh.
FEMNET campaigns for better living and working conditions of women in the production countries of the global garment industry through political commitment, educational and advisory work as well as solidarity work. In dialog with politics and business, the women’s rights organisation strives for the binding implementation of corporate due diligence. FEMNET is a pioneer in the implementation of eco-fair procurement procedures in public administration and has been advising local authorities on their textile tenders since 2015.
Health and Environment Justice Support (HEJSupport) aims to achieve a healthy environment and environmental justice for affected people. It provides long term technical, policy and awareness raising support for active communities deprived of justice to enable them to make their problems heard and to strive for solutions. HEJSupport works at the policy level to achieve a healthy environment and environmental justice globally.
INKOTA-netzwerk has the last 50 years in different programs and activities engaged for a just world. We want to defeat hunger, combat poverty and make globalization work for everyone! A social and environmental transition of global supply chain is important for sustainable development – decent work and life. With targeted campaigns, INKOTA aims to invigorate the political landscape in Germany and to raise public awareness for sustainable development and the importance of human rights and healthy environment. We campaign for dignified employment, overcoming the problem of hunger and for fair financial and trade relationships in the world’s economy. INKOTA carries out public relations work, educational activities and campaigns, and cooperates with civil society partner organisations.
SÜDWIND aims to achieve a fair global economy. For more than 30 years, committed employees have been campaigning for labor rights and social standards in supply chains around the globe. Whether textiles, shoes, bananas or cocoa: SÜDWIND uncovers unjust structures and makes them public. SÜDWIND shows decision-makers in politics and companies concrete options for action. Through educational and public relations work as well as involvement in campaigns and networks, findings also reach a broad public.
The project is supported by Engagement Global with funds from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
The WBM approach is built on the 'Decent Work Check' (DWC) created by WageIndicator Foundation (WageIndicator) and Mondiaal FNV (MFNV), in partnership with local trade unions in production countries. In Bangladesh they partner with Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF). WageIndicator and MFNV support the project’s goals with financial and technical resources.
