Build back better the garment industry on livingwages via sustainable purchasing practices in global supply chains

Nice to see the hard work of all brands, parties and stakeholders involved reflected in the annual report of the Sustainable Agreement on Garments and Textile at International RBC Agreements at Sociaal-Economische Raad (SER).

Personally I am proud of the work I did with all brands, parties, (international) stakeholders and colleagues on #livingwages and #purchasingpractices, and the event on sourcing sustainably in Turkey. From the series of company training I organised, to the training of suppliers in production countries on costing together with Fair Wear Foundation to the joint sustainable purchasing practices tool with Bündnis für nachhaltige Textilien (Partnership for Sustainable Textiles) and ACT on Living Wage. And last but not least the seminar on sourcing sustainably in Turkey, in collaboration with a.o. Fair Labor Association, Fair Wear Foundation, Ethical Trading Initiative, amfori - Trade with Purpose and the Dutch consulate in Turkey.

Though some progress on the ground may seem slow to materialise, the foundation is laid at brands internally, with commitment of CEO's and different departments involved, and in their supply chains to make impact on the ground. We all know more than ever that to change the industry step by step progress is needed and the first step is for brands to acknowledge their responsibility and start acting on it in the way they do business.

The international spotlight on the devastating impact of the #coronocrisis on suppliers and workers in the global supply chains' reality underlines the harsh necessity to move forward collectively with much quicker speed on what is now agreed to be common sense and a shared agenda in the global garment sector on what should be done. To change the business model for the benefit of all, including the brands themselves.

My hope is that the hard work we did last year will give all parties and brands involved the impetus to take this strongly forward and #buildbackbetter. Though personally in a different spot this year, I will keep on contributing my own way to #buildbackbetter. We all can and should, for the benefit of all.

https://publications.internationalrbc.org/textiel-jaarrapportage-2019/internationaleuitbreiding

#sustainable #garments #livingwage #purchasingpractices #buildbackbetter #businessmodel