Clothing workers forced to work in high-risk environments

An investigation from Clean Clothes Campaign and Germany-based Bread for the World has revealed that around 120,000 labourers across Europe are being forced to work in high-risk environments in spite of workplace closures owing to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The organisations say there is still no European legislation to enforce brands and retailers respect human rights throughout supply chains and ban unfair and inhumane trading practices.

In Serbia, Ukraine, Croatia and Bulgaria, employees are still working for far less than a living wage for German fashion brands including Hugo Boss, Gerry Weber and Esprit, as well as German supermarket and drugstore chains.

In spite of the current pandemic, factory managers continue to force workers to report to work, despite the risk of COVID-19 infection and in contravention of international guidelines.

For the full story, see the June 2020 edition of Textiles Eastern Europe. Not a subscriber? Sign up HERE