Garments and textiles

Despite public outrage about substandard working conditions, the global garment and textile industry remains rife with cases of sweatshop conditions, union-busting, gender discrimination, forced and child labour. The rights and safety of garment workers are systematically neglected.

We investigate employment and working conditions in the textiles and garment industry and analyse business models and practices – such as short lead times, hidden sub-contracting and unstable relations with suppliers – that contribute to human and labour rights violations.

We work with civil society organisations and trade unions around the world to improve conditions for garment workers. Among other things, we advocate for a central role for workers in monitoring and improvement initiatives and for binding corporate accountability mechanisms.