July '25 | About Persistent Child Labour in India, A French Law To Tackle Ultra-Fast Fashion, and more...
In our ongoing commitment to providing insight into the evolving landscape of labor and environmental rights within the textile and garment industry, we offer updates on the latest developments and progress.
Among other intriguing topics, a new study evidences how child labour remains widespread in India’s textile hubs, with forged documents and poor oversight trapping minors in unsafe, low-paid work. Meanwhile, France has passed a pioneering law to curb ultra-fast fashion, introducing eco-taxes, advertising bans, and mandatory sustainability scores to tackle overconsumption and textile waste.
We hope you find these insights useful!
Your project team
STUDIES & REPORTS
Study Reveals Ongoing Child Labour Risks in India’s Textile Hubs (pdf)
A recent study by The Institute of Public Enterprise shows child labour persists in India’s garment sector, especially in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, where forged documents help minors work in spinning mills and factories. Children often endure long hours, low wages, and unsafe conditions due to poor monitoring and weak enforcement of labour laws. Family poverty and lack of education drive this exploitation, while stricter checks, better supply chain accountability, and stronger action from brands are emphasized to address child labour risks in textiles.
Checking Boxes, Cheating Workers: A Report on Social Auditing Gaps (pdf)
Partners for Dignity and Rights published a new report, "Checking Boxes, Cheating Workers", that reveals how social auditing firms are failing to protect workers’ rights across global supply chains, especially in textiles. Despite decades of evidence that audits miss or hide severe abuses like wage theft and intimidation, companies still use them to meet human rights obligations. The report shows cases where auditors overlooked abuses and undermined workers’ testimony, delaying remedy.
New report on wage theft in Pakistan from Arisa (pdf)
A new report by Arisa exposes severe labour rights abuses in Pakistan’s denim factories supplying major global brands like H&M, Gap, and Primark. The investigation found rampant wage theft, excessive unpaid overtime, and wages far below living standards, pushing workers into deep financial insecurity. Many lack contracts, social security, or union protections, leaving them vulnerable to threats and dismissal.
The Artisans’ Index: A New Benchmark for Craft, Culture, and Climate
The Crafted Report presents the Artisans’ Index, ranking 50 fashion and homeware brands on environmental, cultural, and social responsibility, covering areas like cultural rights, biodiversity, and fair collaboration. It includes field research highlighting water stress and air quality impacts, with detailed mapping of air quality in artisan zones like Delhi and Jaipur, using Open Supply Hub data.
NEWS
France Targets Ultra-Fast Fashion and Waste
France has passed a pioneering bill targeting ultra-fast fashion brands like SHEIN and Temu, introducing eco-taxes, advertising bans, and mandatory sustainability disclosures to combat overconsumption and textile waste. The law bans all advertising and influencer promotions of ultra-fast fashion, aiming to reduce demand, especially among younger consumers. Retailers must disclose environmental impacts and apply an eco-score that influences taxation, with penalties for non-compliance.
EU Moves to Ease Sustainability Rules Raises - Fears for Global Supply Chain Accountability
The EU is set to simplify its sustainability reporting and due diligence rules easing requirements for smaller companies but risking weaker accountability in global supply chains. All 27 EU countries have backed further cuts to ethical supply chain laws, raising company thresholds and narrowing checks to direct suppliers only. These moves could leave human rights and environmental abuses unchecked deeper in the chain. In response, more than 100 companies and investors have warned the EU not to weaken these sustainability rules, arguing that strong standards help manage risks and support long-term growth. To bring clarity to the debate, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung foundation has launched an interactive world map that shows where due diligence laws exist globally and how their requirements differ.
LkSG complaint against KiK: Systematic violations of fundamental labor and union rights (in German)
Pakistani garment workers, the NTUF union, and ECCHR filed a complaint against KiK under Germany’s supply chain law, accusing the brand of ignoring wage theft, union suppression, and mass dismissals at its Pakistani supplier. The case challenges a BAFA ruling that cleared KiK without worker input, underscoring the need for stronger enforcement to protect workers’ rights.
The Hidden Emotional Burden on Women Garment Workers
Women garment workers in Bengaluru and Tiruppur, India, face severe emotional strain from harsh conditions and lack mental health support. With 87% reporting chronic stress, the Multi-Actor Partnership project on Gender and Health urges gender-responsive safety and fair grievance systems, emphasizing shared industry responsibility for workers’ well-being.
PRODUCTION COUNTRIES
Bangladesh
Unpaid Wages and Exploitation Risk as Australian Fashion Brands Collapse
Bangladeshi garment workers face unpaid wages and factory closures as Australian fashion brands like Mosaic collapse. Despite industry guidelines, slow payment terms and weak enforcement worsen workers' exploitation and poverty risks. Stronger legislation and industry collaboration are needed to protect vulnerable workers in Bangladesh and beyond.
Fashion brands drag feet on their green promises
Many fashion brands are slow to cut emissions in supply chains across Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia. According to a report (pdf) by the Apparel Impact Institute, suppliers face a $4.8 billion gap to invest in cleaner tech, while brands offer little financial support beyond audits. Experts call for brands to fund decarbonization and share costs fairly to achieve real climate progress.
India
River Cauvery Pollution in Erode: Untreated Textile Effluents Threaten Health and Environment
Residents in Erode, Tamil Nadu, report untreated textile effluents and sewage polluting the River Cauvery, harming health and agriculture. Despite complaints and a 2023 pollution alert, no action has been taken. Officials plan to install sewage treatment plants, with project planning underway.
Toxic Industrial Waste Devastates Rajasthan’s Jojari River Communities
The Jojari River in Rajasthan is being poisoned by industrial pollution from textile and steel factories, leading to severe health issues and driving families to abandon their homes. Untreated waste keeps flowing in spite of government efforts, putting both people and wildlife at risk. Stronger enforcement is urgently needed.
Myanmar
Myanmar’s Illusion of a Living Wage
In Myanmar’s garment industry, workers are trapped in poverty as brands profit from pay systems deliberately designed to keep basic wages low. Even as living costs soar and protests for fair pay continue, many workers still can’t meet their basic needs under these manipulated structures. This strongly opinionated piece highlights the stark injustice they face.
NETWORK & EVENTS
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