WORKERS’ RIGHTS

We are proud of the products our suppliers manufacture and of the trustworthy and long term relationships we have built with them. We deliberately work with a small and durable supply chain to ensure continuity in our sustainable initiatives.

Although human rights are protected by various national and international laws, they can be restricted in certain situations. We strive for all workers across our supply chain to have these rights respected. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions sets out these rights as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. We used these and many other related resources as the basis for our Code of Conduct and practices. To support this process we aim to improve the current complaint systems in our supply chain, towards global independency and confidentiality, to strengthen workers’ voices.

Code of Conduct

We developed the G-Star Supplier Code of Conduct representing all standards on Social and Environmental, Safety and Health (S&ESH) regulations, to ensure that G-Star products are made under fair and safe circumstances. We continuously monitor and collaborate with our suppliers and external industry experts, to uphold these standards and improve where needed.

Square Fashion

Square Fashion Limited is based in Bhakula, Mymensing, Bangladesh and is a great example of a long standing partner that showcases best practice in key social topics, such as workers’ rights, conditions, benefits, health and safety.

Square Fashion protects workers by providing frequent health and safety trainings, and they have a medical center on-site for all workers to use for free, with discounted family care. Their worker benefits go far beyond legal requirements with workers receiving a profit share, a rarity for many Bangladesh garment workers. Meals, transportation, and dormitory are free, and there is a wide range of paid leave, family support and cultural activities.

Square Fashion specializes in cutting, sewing, printing, embroidery and garment finishing.

Supplier transparency

Supply chain transparency helps us to understand and identify any risks throughout our supply chain. Our Manufacturing Map shows the suppliers we work with and offers background information for each of them. It gives insight into where our products were made, as well as the number of workers at each factory site, the gender balance, and finally any sustainability initiatives or certifications that are in place. We included all direct suppliers that we have been working with for at least two years. Explore our Manufacturing Map.

Social and Labor Convergence Program (SLCP)

G-Star RAW is a signatory of the Social and Labor Convergence Program (SLCP). The mission of this project is to develop a common assessment framework to measure improvement in working conditions and therefore achieve comparable and verified high-quality data that increases the opportunity for transparency and eliminates audit fatigue. Given the scale and nuances around labor rights, change can only be realized through concerted action from the whole apparel sector. According to SLCP, almost two thirds of social audits in the apparel sector are duplicates. By working together and sharing data, we can accelerate positive change in worker rights.

Higg Facility Social & Labor Module (Higg FSLM)

We apply the Higg Facility Social & Labor module (the content of which is directly informed by the work of SLCP) as a measuring and performance improvement tool for our supply chain partners.

ACCORD on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh

After the Rana Plaza factory building collapsed on 24 April 2013, the Bangladesh Accord was created to enable a working environment in which fires, building collapses, or other accidents are prevented with reasonable health and safety measures. The Accord is an independent, legally binding agreement between brands and trade unions to work towards a safe and healthy garment and textile industry in Bangladesh. We first signed the Bangladesh Accord in 2014 and then the Transition Accord in 2018. Read our official statement on the current developments.

COVID-19 – SUPPLY CHAIN RESPONSIBILITY

In these unprecedented times, where the devastating COVID-19 pandemic is affecting our health and our economy globally, we are aware of our responsibilities. In April 2020 we published a statement on our website that gives insight into the measures we took, and are still taking, to minimize financial, social and environmental impact on our supply chain partners.