Annika // Frank // Ines // Kelly // Maddie
TABLE OF CONTENTS FOCUS human rights press improvements in action hiding from problems new policies opinions changes
Overall Focus:
Why ...
?
IMPROVEMENTS / RECTIFICATIONS
Narrow Focus:
poor manufacturing practices, weak human rights policy
Human Rights claim according to website: “
We are very careful before entering into working relationships with anyone. We are committed to picking and rewarding partners who share our respect for people and the environment, and who are willing to work with us to improve their practices. We only allow our products to be manufactured by suppliers and factories that commit to our values and sign our strict code of conduct.
�
Perception
1
Position themselves on the stance that they are providing jobs in developing countries through factory work, however stresses that they do not own any of these factories, therefore do not consider themselves to be responsible for poor working conditions or unfair treatment
2
Global Deal: a joint initiative with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), aims to address the challenges in the global labour market and improve social dialogue and working conditions
PRESS
PRESS PRESS
Improvements in action - Working to ensure that factory workers are represented by trade unions - Working to incorporate wage systems that provide the workers with knowledge on wage, benefits, and rights - Rectifying workers having low wages, fixed-term contracts, forced overtime and loss of job if pregnant, which was found by the Asia Floor Wage Alliance in 2016 - Participating in UN Children’s fund to improve children’s rights in terms of those that have been impacted by the fashion industry or exploited in the production of garments - Encouraging factories to pay their workers through digital means to ensure transparency, curb exploitation, and empower women - Trying to ensure pairing with factory partners that foster respect for the worker and provide safe working conditions
hiding from real
problems
- H&M fell short of fulfilling labor and safety promises after the Rana Plaza collapse - H&M characterized these issues as “industry wide� so as to lessen the pressure on the company -In 2010, a Manhattan H&M outlet was discovered destroying and discarding unsold clothing -The company responded to the resulting controversy by rolling out its Garment Collecting Initiative, which awarded vouchers to consumers who brought their unwanted clothing to H&M stores -H&M subsequently debuted Close the Loop, a denim line produced in part from recycled cotton gathered via Garment Collecting Initiative donations
" Our 100% circular vision and our goal to only use recycled or other sustainably sourced materials by 2030 plays a key role in our sustainability agenda. We are aware that our vision means a big change on how fashion is made and enjoyed today and if we want to take the lead on this challenge, collaboration and accelerating innovation and circular systems together with the industry is crucial," -Anna Gedde, head of sustainability for H&M Group
new policies - H&M Group implements several policy measure to reduce the climate emissions of its own operations and in the supply chain - 25% of total consumption of raw materials is made from environmentally friendly materials such as organic cotton - signed Detox Commitment to eliminate hazardous chemical groups from its production - received “Avant-Garde” status from Greenpeace - collaborates with Ethical Trading Initiative to improve labour conditions in their supply chain - issues annual reports regarding labour conditions at its suppliers and publishes a supplier list - H&M making push towards circular economy, core corporate partner in Circular Fibres Initiative, aims at supporting sustainable innovations - ”Conscious Exclusive” apparel collection incorporating Bionic, a sustainable polyester fabric made from plastic shoreline waste: builds brand image - world’s biggest user of recycled polyester and among biggest buyer of organic cotton - aims to rely exclusively on sustainably-sourced cotton by 2020
Opinion on improvements // Small step in the right direction, but we feel like they could do more // Not doing it for genuine reasons but more from a marketing standpoint
Additional changes or initiatives they could make:
// Developing better concepts for sustainable Practices and environmentally conscious design development (small steps to a greater impact) // Being more transparent, losing the business initiative and delivering a more fulfilling experience to the consumers.
Resources:
https://about.hm.com/en/sustainability/sustainable-fashion/working-conditions.html http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/apparel-announcement-news/h-m-initiates-steps-to-improve-working-conditions-205972-newsdetails.htm http://www.smh.com.au/business/retail/hm-boss-karljohan-persson-we-dont-set-out-to-destroy-local-fashion-industries-20170404-gvdro7.html https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/news-analysis/top-fashion-companies-come-together-to-improve-childrens-rights https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/aug/21/hm-factories-myanmar-employed-14-year-old-workers http://www.eco-business.com/news/hm-to-encourage-garment-factories-to-pay-workers-digitally-to-empower-women/ https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/1851851/hm-in-factory-horror-as-workers-endure-outrageous-sweatshop-conditions-making-clothes-which-include-beyonces-own-line/ https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/31/business/international/top-retailers-fall-short-of-commitments-to-overseas-workers.html https://rankabrand.org/Retailers/H&M https://www.retaildive.com/news/nike-hm-join-circular-fibres-initiative-promoting-circular-economy/442685/