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  Are 'clean clothes' more expensive than the alternative?

  Probably a little, but a lot less than you would expect. It all depends on the calculations a brand makes, and how the profits get distributed. Anything from a modest 5% price increase to about the same price would be an option.

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  Brands don’t hire garment workers; supply management does. So why should the brand be responsible for factory working conditions?

  The UN Guidelines for responsible business conduct make it explicit that brands are responsible for human rights violations all along their supply chain. In short: if you profit from it, you must make sure no human rights violations occur.

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  Can’t we rely on governments to enforce and regulate work conditions?

  In an ideal world, governments would do so. However, most garments are produced in poorer countries with weak enforcement, repressive laws or other issues. Brands also pit the countries against each other in a race to the bottom.

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  Does CCC participate in factory boycotts?

  In one word: No. There are exceptions in extreme cases, where all other options have failed, or where the workers explicitly ask for it. But overall: a boycott is often not the best solution for the workers.

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  How does CCC approach its work in the garment sector?

  At CCC, we take action for garment workers within four areas of opportunity: demands to brands, direct solidarity, public awareness and people power, and legislation.

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  How has CCC succeeded in the fight to improve working conditions?

  The impact of our international solidarity has reinstated fired workers, released imprisoned labour activists, recognised labour unions, and improved health and safety conditions in garment factories.

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  How is CCC structured?

  Clean Clothes Campaign is a global network that brings together more than 230 organisations covering a broad spectrum of perspectives and interests, such as women’s rights, poverty reduction and labour rights.

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  Some brands claim to audit their suppliers for labour violations on a regular basis. Are they telling the truth?

  The majority of today’s brands and retailers participate in one monitoring program or another. Indeed, a global industry of commercial ‘social auditing’ firms has emerged – but not all fulfill a benefit for workers.

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  What conventions and core labour standards does the International Labour Organisation (ILO) protect?

  As part of the United Nations, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) is a tripartite organisation of trade unions, governments and companies.

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  What is a code of conduct and why should brands have one?

  At CCC, we define a brand’s code of conduct as the detailed standards to which it holds its supplier(s) accountable. Brands are adopting this tool in response to our campaigning late 90s with other labour rights organisations. Nowadays, nearly all brands have a code of conduct.

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  What should a brand do when its supply chain violates human rights or labour standards?

  When this happens, it’s the brand’s cue to take responsibility and make changes.

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  When I buy a garment, what portion of the cost goes to the workers?

  Brands are notoriously secretive about what percentage of their retail prices go to the worker, so there is very little we can say for sure. However, while labour costs vary, for most garments, wages for production will scarcely exceed 3% of the price you pay in the shop.

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  Where can I buy 'clean' clothes?

  At Clean Clothes Campaign, we believe that you, both with your consumer and citizen power, can play a significant role in the fate of the garment industry. Because your purchases matter to brands, your voice will as well. As a citizen, you can use your voice to let brands and governments know you want fair working conditions for the people making our clothes.

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  Where can I find information on specific brands and their labour practices?

  There are a number of places and ways to look for this information, both here and on other websites.

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  Why does CCC focus on clothing and sportswear?

  The garment industry was one of the first industries to globalise and to become transnational. Over the years we have witnessed the industry develop into one of the most detrimental industries in terms of workers’ rights and the destruction of the environment.

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  Workers' wages do seem low – but isn't the cost of living more affordable in garment-producing countries?

  In comparison to the global north, garment-producing countries do yield a lower cost-of-living. That figure, however, does not represent a garment workers’ wage by proportion.

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