Fair Wear urges Indian government to address threats to essential labour rights

Fair Wear Foundation, along with five other influential organisations, has signed and sent a letter to the Indian government in response to the recent proposals to relax or amend labour laws as a result of Covid-19.

Some Indian states have adopted legislative proposals to significantly relax or suspend labour protections, arguing that such modifications would help Indian employers cope with the effects of the pandemic and boost investment in manufacturing industries. The proposed amendments, however, would have immediate and grave consequences for workers in those states. 

Alongside the Fair Labor Association, Amfori, American Apparel & Footwear Association, Social Accountability International and ICS, Fair Wear calls for the government to:

1. ensure that the restrictions on labour laws promoted by the state governments are not implemented; 
2. encourage those governments to consult with affected stakeholders, including trade unions, before proposing additional changes to state labour laws;
3. ensure that all eight fundamental ILO Conventions are implemented in India. 

Together, our organisations’ membership represents more than 2,000 brands and retailers from over 30 countries, primarily in North America and Europe, that are committed to working with business partners that uphold the legal rights of workers and to sourcing from countries in which international labour standards are respected.

You can download the full letter here.