Improving migrants conditions - what brands must do

Brands and retailers

The global garment industry relies heavily on the work of migrants, global brands have a responsibility to ensure that migrant workers rights are upheld.

 Adopt a positive approach towards migrant workers and acknowledge that they can and do exist in supply chains.

• Ensure that migrant workers are explicitly mentioned in codes and implementation policies,

• Ensure that references to migrant workers are focused on rights and not legal status,

• Take a positive attitude to migrant work and avoid policies that aim to exclude the use of migrant workers,

• Ensure standards are based on international conventions and not just on national law, which often offers weaker protection to migrant workers,

• The gendered aspect of migration and work should be properly taken into account.

• Compulsory medical testing should be prohibited.

• Provide pre-departure training for migrant workers.

Auditing and monitoring working conditions should include steps to adequately include the perspective and needs of migrant workers

• Ensuring an appropriate composition of workers and stakeholders (e.g. migrant groups) are involved,

• Making sure the right areas are inspected (e.g. kitchens, dormitories, etc.),

• Ensuring contracts include labour standards that may not be included in local law (e.g. accommodation),

• Ensuring that the company covers all additional expenses of migrant workers (healthcare, etc.),

• Providing access to the factory for local migrant groups,

• Involving unions or migrant worker groups in monitoring of conditions.