The global clothing trade is worth €2.86 trillion and employs more than 75 million people. Asia accounts for 58.4% of world clothing and textile exports, as it is very cheap to produce clothes there. More than 70% of EU imports of textiles and clothing come from Asia.
However, the constant search for lower prices and shorter delivery timeframes can sometimes result in dangerous and harsh conditions for workers. The Rana Plaza disaster in 2013 drew attention to the working conditions in the sector and has launched a series of initiatives, many of them at national level or on a voluntary basis..
The own-initiative report adopted by the development committee on 21 March calls on the European Commission to propose that European companies outsourcing production to countries outside the EU would be made responsible for checking that all of their supply chain respects OECD guidelines and international standards for human and social rights.
Report author Lola Sánchez Caldentey, a Spanish member of the GUE/NGL group, said: “If we do not have a mandatory framework that makes it clear how businesses are meant to act, then we will never see a real commitment to respecting workers’ labour rights, human rights and social rights.”
The report also proposed other measures, such as incentives and special labels for textiles that are produced in a sustainable manner. All MEPs are expected to vote on it during the plenary session on 26 April.
REF. : 20170320STO67730
