The problem

Within global garment supply chains, the capital flows from investors back and forth between brands, to agents, to factory owners and management, crossing borders on its way, and never reaching the people working in the factories. Factory workers who manage to organise can sometimes get remedy through pressure on their factory management, but commonly pressure is needed on the brands and companies, the investors and governments in the countries where the power lies.

Brands have long since the boom of the industry outsourced their production, and with it their legal responsibility for the people making their clothes. When violations occur, they claim innocence, and sometimes provide a fund, or partly remedy. However, human rights can’t be divided, and can only exist in connection to each other. Clean Clothes Campaign follows international standards such as the United Nations Guiding Principles and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance on Garments stating that brands have the responsibility to make sure that all labour rights are respected and full remedy is provided when these rights are violated. Even though the importance of supply chain responsibility has been widely accepted, this hasn’t materialised in legal responsibility for brands and companies. Until people buying clothes make decent labour conditions and issue for brands, brands will shirk their responsibilities and workers will pay the cost.