Dutch textile and clothing sector bodies Inretail, VGT and MODINT have prepared a joint plan of action for further sustainability of the apparel sector.
The action plan was presented to the Netherlands’ Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Lilianne Ploumen during the second edition of the CSR conference that had ‘Green’ as the main theme.
The Minister termed the plan as an important step towards improving working conditions for garment workers in countries like Bangladesh.
According to the Minister, the plan sets out clear goals with an ambitious schedule. “Now we have to set the wheels in motion and make sure things really change for the workers on the shop floor,” the Minister said.
The Minister said she would be actively involved in the plan’s execution and called on all textile companies to endorse the plan, as per a statement on the Government of Netherlands website.
Ms. Ploumen noted that the plan needs further work. “The next step is to establish clear agreements on the roles and responsibilities of all those involved, both in the Netherlands and abroad,” she added.
“The industry is keen to discuss the matter with the government and civil society organisations and embrace a voluntary corporate social responsibility agreement,” the statement said.
The action plan also tackles such issues as a living wage, child labour, workplace health and safety, the freedom to form and join trade unions and environmentally sound use of water, chemicals and raw materials.
Through the action plan, the textile industry trade associations are going to help companies identify and minimize risks in the supply chain. The industry will also investigate the harmful effects of certain procurement practices, like rapidly relocating production and spreading production over an extensive number of suppliers.
“The Dutch textile sector is going to actively inform European and global trade associations of its plan and ask them to help achieve its goals,” as per the statement.
Last week, Ms. Ploumen visited Bangladesh, as co-chair of a group of donor countries, and led the first donor coordination meeting on improving working conditions in the clothing industry, along with Bangladesh Commerce Minister Ghulam Muhammed Quader.
Source:
http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/apparel-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=147689
