#Textiles & Apparel / Garment
Inditex and IndustriALL reaffirm commitment with a new protocol
- / Over the past 15 years, almost 3 million people around the world have benefitted from better working conditions as a result of the Global Framework Agreement between Inditex and IndustriALL Global Union. A world first, the agreement is still a benchmark in the defence of decent work in global supply chains.
- / Commemorating the 15th anniversary, both parties are signing a new protocol reinforcing their commitment to continue engaging in mature industrial relations safeguarding worker well being.
The new protocol furthers social dialogue by reinforcing the Global Union Committee and its coordinating bodies, specifically establishing new mechanisms for cementing the role of the local unions for a better understanding of what the workers making the clothes need. Under the new protocol, Inditex and IndustriALL will formulate a joint work plan which will focus on continued respect for the freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining and the provision of training to worker representatives, the textile group’s suppliers and its supply chain factory workers.
Inditex and IndustriALL are also making progress on a new workplace access protocol, which aims to learn about and monitor working conditions in the factories in Inditex’s supply chain, in order to understand the workers’ needs and to respond to them.
“The protocol signed today, commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Framework Agreement between Inditex and IndustriALL, evidences our determination to strengthen respect for fundamental labour rights across our production chain and marks a fresh milestone in both organisations’ ongoing mission of improving the lives of the women and men who populate it,” said Óscar García Maceiras, CEO of Inditex.
“Signing the Global Framework Agreement with Inditex was a breakthrough that has since lead the way for more responsible sourcing and proper industrial relations in the sector. It is fitting that we celebrate the first 15 years by signing a protocol that takes our relationship to a new level in terms of respect for fundamental trade union rights. The fact that we agree with Inditex to increase the role of our local and national unions and to firmly defend their right to organize and bargain collectively in the supply chains gives hope to many,” said Atle Høie, IndustriALL General Secretary.
Felix Peinado, Director for the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Spain, was present at the signing ceremony, said: “In the Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy, ILO urges companies, in collaboration with their workers’ representatives, to enter into international framework agreements to commit to applying principles of decent work along their supply chains all countries. Spanish unions Comisiones Obreras and UGT, together with Inditex, have been frontrunners in Spain with this agreement. I could not be prouder of this agreement or happier to celebrate its anniversary. The agreement is an example of how, with the combined commitment and hard work of companies and their workers’ representatives, it is possible to forge better working conditions around the world."
This agreement marks a new milestone in the relationship between Inditex and IndustriALL, which began 15 years ago, in 2007, with the signature of the Global Framework Agreement. The Agreement was a significant step forward for the industry, providing a major boost to its sustainability and a very real chance to improve working conditions for the nearly 3 million people who work in the factories producing for the Spanish multinational globally.
