October '25 | On the deadly factory fire in Dhaka, the EU’s CSDDD revisions, new labor rights in India, and fresh reports from the Textile Incidents Website
In our ongoing commitment to providing insight into the evolving landscape of labor and environmental rights within the textile and garment industry, we share with you the latest developments. Among other interesting topics, this edition highlights the European Parliament’s legal committee vote to amend the CSDDD, raising thresholds for covered companies and removing climate transition obligations, Karnataka’s new policy granting women one day of paid menstrual leave per month, as well as the Textile Incidents Website newest reports on a factory closure, gender-based violence and dismissals of unionized workers in Bangladesh, and workers protest in Turkey.
We hope you find these insights useful!
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STUDIES & REPORTS
FashionChecker: Who Pays a Living Wage?
The newest 2025 edition of FashionChecker offers richer brand profiles, featuring detailed insights into factory conditions, wage data, and progress on living wage commitments. This platform allows consumers, workers, and policymakers alike to peer behind the labels and see whether major apparel and footwear brands are really paying the people who make our clothes a living wage — and how transparent they are about their supply chains.
Beyond Transparency: Rethinking Openness in Global Supply Chains (pdf)
Open Supply Hub’s new Beyond Transparency report reveals that digital transparency tools alone cannot ensure fair working conditions or real accountability in global supply chains. Based on insights from over 65 unions and civil society groups, the study warns that open data can expose workers to risks if not paired with protection and participation. It calls for inclusive, worker-centered transparency that prioritizes safety, equity, and shared ownership of data.
NEWS
EU Supply Chain Law in the Spotlight: Activists Raise Alarm
On October 13th, the EU legal committee voted to weaken the EU Supply Chain Due Diligence Directive, reducing obligations for companies on human rights and environmental reporting. Initiative Lieferkettengesetz criticized the move as “extortion instead of responsibility,” warning it undermines decades of progress in corporate accountability. Over 210,000 people, including workers from Pakistan and Bangladesh, have signed a petition urging the German Chancellor to defend the German law.
Global Solidarity Over Checklists: Key Takeaways from the October 2025 Supply Chain Conference
During the conference “Due Diligence and Labor Rights – Implementation, Expectations, and Perspectives Along the Supply Chain” that took place in Berlin on 7–8 October 2025, experts and activists from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Serbia, Mexico and Germany gathered to discuss the future of supply chain laws. The event emphasized the need for a shift from mere compliance checklists to a more holistic approach that prioritizes human rights and environmental justice. Speakers highlighted the importance of global solidarity in enforcing these standards, ensuring that supply chain laws benefit workers worldwide.
“The Fashion Stitch” Podcast: Fair Fashion & Safer Clothes
OEKO-TEX and Fashion Changers launched the podcast The Fashion Stitch – On Fabrics, Facts and Feelings, exploring social and environmental sustainability in fashion. Episode 1 features Sabine Kaldonek from FEMNET on fair wages and safe working conditions, while Episode 2 dives into chemicals in clothing, focusing on PFAS, safer alternatives, and certifications. The series shows how transparency, ethical practices, and innovation can make fashion both fair and safe.
OECD Flags Shein for Human Rights and Environmental Violation
The OECD has put Shein on notice for failing to comply with several recommendations on human rights, wages, and environmental practices, citing lack of transparency in its supply chain and insufficient social and environmental disclosures. The report highlights Shein’s reliance on domestic Chinese laws, which fall short of international standards. In parallel, six French NGOs are calling for tougher EU regulations on fast fashion, arguing that current rules inadequately hold companies like Shein accountable.
Decathlon's Sustainability Claims Questioned in New Documentary (in German)
A recent ZDF documentary “Greenwashed? – Can Mass-Produced Goods Be Sustainable?” examines Decathlon’s environmental practices, highlighting issues like textile waste and PFAS contamination. Viola Wohlgemuth, who is also part of Fashion Revolution, contributed to the investigation. Amongst others, Anna Burst from FEMNET speaks on the problem of recycling PET bottles for textiles. The documentary underscores the role of researchers as well as civil society organizations in pushing accountability in global supply chains.
PRODUCTION COUNTRIES
Bangladesh
Union Workers Face Violence and Dismissal in Bangladesh (New Textile Incident)
In August 2025, workers at Fiat Fashion Ltd. in Gazipur, Bangladesh, faced gender-based violence and intimidation following the formation of a union. Several union leaders and workers were dismissed, and management refused to reinstate them upon reopening. The National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF) calls for immediate reinstatement and a safe, respectful workplace, urging brands and stakeholders to ensure accountability.
Factory closes after the protests in Bangladesh (New Textile Incident)
In Ashulia, Bangladesh, garment manufacturer Fashion Forum Ltd. has been forced to close indefinitely after large-scale worker protests over unpaid benefits and severance pay. Nearly 4,000 employees, mostly women, are affected by the shutdown, which has drawn attention to ongoing labor tensions in the country’s textile industry. With links to Next PLC and Germany’s Textilbündnis initiative, the case raises fresh concerns about global brand accountability and ethical sourcing in fashion supply chains.
Deadly Factory and Chemical Warehouse Fires in Dhaka
A fire in Mirpur, Dhaka, killed at least 16 people after spreading through a garment factory and an adjacent chemical warehouse. Most victims died from toxic gas inhalation, as a locked rooftop door blocked escape. The warehouse stored hazardous chemicals like hydrogen peroxide and bleaching powder, and firefighters struggled to enter due to fumes. Authorities are investigating safety violations and emergency preparedness failures.
Kalpona Akter: Advocating for Dignified Jobs in the Garment Industry
In a recent interview with Vogue Business, Kalpona Akter, a former child laborer and prominent trade unionist, discusses the persistent challenges faced by garment workers in Bangladesh. She emphasizes the need for systemic change to ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, and the recognition of workers' rights within the industry.
Bangladesh Faces Rising Climate Risks for Workers
Bangladesh, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, is already feeling the impact of extreme heat, floods, and cyclones on its workforce. Garment workers face daily health risks from soaring temperatures, including fainting and dehydration, while social safety nets are being updated to build climate resilience. The government’s initiatives aim to protect vulnerable populations, but urgent action is needed to safeguard workers’ health and livelihoods as climate threats intensify.
India
Karnataka Introduces Paid Menstrual Leave for Women Workers
Karnataka has become the first state in India to approve a policy granting women one paid menstrual leave per month, totaling 12 days annually. This progressive move applies across all sectors, including government offices, garment factories, IT firms, MNCs, and private industrial units, benefiting over 5 million women. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah described the policy as a step toward creating a more humane, understanding, and inclusive workplace. The Karnataka Menstrual Leave and Hygiene Bill, 2025, also proposes penalties for employers who deny leave or discriminate against menstruating employees.
Ritu’s Journey: A Glimpse into Bengaluru’s Garment Sector
In the latest installment of Cividep's "No Time To Spare" series, Ritu, a migrant worker from Bihar, shares her experience in Bengaluru's garment industry. Her story highlights the grueling 12-hour shifts and the physical toll they take, leading many women to consider returning to their villages for a better quality of life. This ground report underscores the urgent need for reforms in working conditions and labor rights within the sector. Cividep continues to shed light on these critical issues through its ongoing fieldwork and research.
Turkey
Workers protest over unpaid wages in Turkey (New Textile Incident)
In Tokat, Turkey, over 800 workers at denim factory CRS Jeans owned by Şık Makas - one of Turkey’s 500 largest industrial companies - went on strike on October 8, 2025, after going more than two months without pay. Employees report growing frustration over delayed wages and alleged dismissals, while local authorities have restricted demonstrations. The factory, which supplies several international brands, has brought renewed attention to ongoing labor challenges within Turkey’s textile sector.
NETWORK & EVENTS
Tuesday, 2nd December 2025, 09:30-14:30 CET – Summit at the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Berlin, Germany:
The Green Button Summit (in English with German translation provided unless otherwise noted)
This Summit will explore how the Green Button certification can continue to drive sustainable change in textile supply chains. Discussions will focus on enhancing human rights and environmental due diligence practices, fostering resilient and responsible business conduct, and aligning with international standards. The event aims to strengthen the Green Button's role in promoting transparency and accountability in the textile industry. Registration is required.
21–22nd October 2025, 17:00–21:00 CET – Workshop at Quäker Nachbarschaftsheim, Cologne, Germany
Fair Fashion, Fair Future, Workshop (in German)
FEMNET and IGLU invite participants to a hands-on Workshop on Sustainable Fashion, Upcycling, and TikTok in Cologne. Attendees will learn practical skills in clothing repair, explore creative approaches to sustainable fashion, and create TikTok content to promote a fair fashion future. The workshop fosters engagement, creativity, and digital advocacy, and is open to all individuals aged 13 and above with an interest in responsible fashion practices.
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