Compared to earlier standards, apparel retailers have made considerable improvement, but they still fall short of completely defending the rights of workers. These businesses have high standards for their suppliers, but supply chain mapping and ethical purchasing procedures do not support these expectations.
The World Benchmarking Alliance (WBA) has released the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark and Gender Benchmark. These benchmarks exposed significant weaknesses in the supply chain procedures and pledges made by clothing manufacturers, endangering the millions of garment workers involved in the global supply chain.
Based on their supply chain, workplace, and governance and strategy policies, WBA evaluated 55 of the most significant garment businesses in the world, including VF Corporation, Adidas, Fast Retailing, Kering, SHEIN, and VF Corporation.
According to the report, 69% of businesses have seen an improvement in their key human rights indicator score during 2018. Furthermore, 38% of businesses had a score lower than 20 out of 100 on the gender equality indicators, while over 60% of businesses received a score lower than 20 out of 100 on the human rights indicators.
It goes on to say that the top-performing businesses in both benchmarks, such as VF Corporation and Inditex, have industry-specific procedures for their supply chains as well as basic corporate due diligence in place to safeguard employees from abuse, harassment, and forced and child labor.
Numerous businesses, such as SHEIN, Prada, and Youngor Group, fall short of critical benchmarks in the areas of gender equality and human rights.
Ninety-four percent of businesses hold their suppliers to high standards for human rights and/or gender equality, but fewer than thirty percent of these businesses take steps to help suppliers succeed, like avoiding short notice requirements and late payments, mapping supply chains, or offering focused support on gender equality.
Out of all the garment firms that were evaluated, only 12 companies (or 22%) provided proof of their efforts to help their suppliers pay liveable wages. Regarding corporate commitments, merely 7 companies (or 13%) reveal a deadline for paying living wages throughout their supply chains, or incorporate living wage demands into their agreements with suppliers.
The lead for social transformation at the World Benchmarking Alliance, Namit Agarwal, stated that fashion brands are still moving too slowly in recognizing gender equality and human rights. Our analysis reveals significant discrepancies between the supply chains of corporations and their real operations. Businesses are failing to support workers and suppliers, endangering the entire garment industry. The globally accepted requirement of 14 weeks of maternity leave is not being met by any corporation that contracts with its suppliers.
