OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector

On 21-25 February 2022, the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector will bring together representatives from government, business, trade unions and civil society to address emerging risks and to share learnings on implementing labour, human rights, environmental and integrity due diligence in the sector across geographies.

The theme of the 2022 Forum is ‘Rethinking The Business Model For Responsible Supply Chains’. Discussions will consider key developments in the sector, some affecting the very essence of supply chain structures and the capacity of different actors to adopt risk-based due diligence in their day to day activities. A series of panel sessions will explore which type of business models and broader policy initiatives deliver better practice on RBC, across topics from purchasing practices to supply chain dialogue structures, from living wages to climate risk mitigation and adaptation, and from mandatory due diligence to public procurement. Together, participants will focus on opportunities and next steps for scaling those initiatives that demonstrate impact.

As part of Fair Wear’s work to enhance industry alignment within the garment industry and to push for change,  we are organising several side events at the Forum. Below is an overview of the events we are hosting and co-hosting, join us and stay tuned for further announcements about Fair Wear’s involvement in this year’s OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector.

Creating a new balance in buyer-supplier relations: the Common Framework for Responsible Purchasing Practices – an approach to generate shared understanding and guide responsible action

• Time and date: Friday 25th February 2022 at 10:00 -11:00 (CET)
• Register here
• Event description: Developed by the members of a Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives Working Group, the Common Framework is a reference point for companies working to improve their purchasing practices and for Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives supporting their member companies in implementing practical improvements in purchasing, to increase the scope for improved working conditions in supply chains. The working group has included representatives from ETI, Ethical Trade Norway, Better Buying Institute, Fair Wear, the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles and the Dutch Agreement for Sustainable Garments, and has consulted with ACT, Better Work and amfori. The framework integrates key elements from the recent relevant Whitepaper by the Sustainable Terms of Trade Initiative (STTI) and builds on previously published reports and frameworks from the involved MSIs and others. In this session the Framework and its contribution towards more balanced buyer-supplier relations, its practical applicability, and the next steps on implementation will be discussed, bringing together both the buyer and supplier perspective.

The importance of collaborative approaches to improve access to remedy

• Time and date: Monday 21st February 2022 at 10:00 – 11:15 (CET),
• Register here
• Event description: This session will deal with explorative and crucial questions: What challenges are we confronted with when setting up a grievance mechanism in a collaborative manner? What should be kept in consideration when working on grievances in a collaborative way? How can we address the need for similar approaches to rights-based remediation across the industry? In addition to outlining the latest developments in access to remedy and how these stimulate the need for more collaboration during the panel discussion, the organisations will present first collaborative approaches and discuss opportunities and challenges.

Launching Drivers for Change: Introducing TIWW dashboard on wages, purchasing practices and GHG emissions

• Time and date: Monday 21st February 2022 at 13:00-14:00 (CET)
• Register here
• Event description: Join stakeholders from across the supply chain during this side session as we share the first iteration of The Industry We Want’s ‘industry dashboard’ on wages, purchasing practices and greenhouse gas emissions. Understand the current state of play in each of these areas, explore data and insights gathered with our partners and collaborate to drive industry-wide progress.

Panel discussion: A Gender Perspective on Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD)–Practical Tools and experiences in Garment Supply Chains

Fair Wear is not co-hosting this session, our Gender Equality experts will be appearing on the panel of this session

• Time and date: Tuesday 22nd February 2022, 9:00 (CET)
• Register here
• Event description: 80% of garment workers are women, at high risk of sexual harassment and low pay despite broad awareness of gender-based harassment in the industry. What are the persistent hurdles to overcome these human rights violations? Which tools and mechanisms are available for brands and other stakeholders? Are these effective and useful when viewed in the light of the experiences and perspectives of non-governmental organisations, unions and labour rights organisations, producers, and buyers? What is the most important measure each of these stakeholders – as well as governments in home and host countries – should undertake to promote gender-equal and harassment-free workplaces in the global garment industry? And what would each stakeholder group challenge another stakeholder to do better? These are the main questions for this solution-oriented side session, hosted jointly by OECD Watch and FOKUS – Forum for Women and Development, where we invite different stakeholders to share their perspectives and experiences.