ROOTS membership of Fair Wear Foundation
Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) is an independent, non-profit organisation that works with companies and factories to improve labour conditions for garment workers. FWF’s 80 member companies represent over 120 brands and are based in seven European countries. Member products are sold in over 20.000 retail outlets in more than 80 countries around the world. FWF is active in 15 production countries in Asia, Europe and Africa.
FWF keeps track of any improvements made by the companies it works with. Through sharing expertise, social dialogue and strengthening industrial relations, FWF increases the effectiveness of efforts made by companies.
What does the Fair Wear Foundation do?
FWF’s work includes:
• Checking that its members respect labour rights in their supply chains, and that brands are managed in a way that supports good working conditions
• Checking conditions in factories from which members source
• Offering worker complaint hotlines in production countries where FWF is active
• Ensuring cooperation between factories, brands and all other stakeholders
• Reporting on how members are implementing the FWF Code of Labour Practices
• Providing trainings
• Developing and testing innovative ways to improve working conditions at garment factories
What part of the supply chain does FWF Focus on?
FWF focuses on everything after fabric production. This means, the factories that make fabric into clothing, shoes, bags and other sewn goods: the cut, make, trim (CMT) and supporting processes of making a garment, such as finishing. This is a very labour-intensive part of the supply chain and the stage at which clothing brands have the most influence.
What happens if problems are found in a factory?
If problems are found – and every member will find problems sometimes – FWF requires the member or members involved to work with the factory to resolve the matter. If problems are reported via our complaints system, FWF will publish a report on the website. And FWF investigates the complaint and helps members set up a Corrective Action Plan with specific actions to solve the issue.
Leaving a factory when problems are found does nothing to improve the situation of workers. Terminating a business relationship with a factory can be harmful to the workers and we definitely see this as a last resort in case a factory is unwilling to cooperate.
Why is Fair Wear Foundation needed?
Millions of garment workers around the world face poverty and violations of their rights every day. Because supply chains are complicated, there are many places where things can go wrong. FWF works with brands that take their responsibility for improving working conditions seriously and want to learn how to use their influence to make life better for the people who make their clothing. Most clothing brands don’t own the factories where their products are made, but they do have a lot of influence over how factories treat workers.
FWF and its brands believe in a step-by-step approach. Member brands are working on continuous improvements to come to real and lasting solutions.