Fair Wear Foundation (FWF)

Together with the Fair Wear Foundation, we work hard every day to create a fair textile chain for everyone. This means that we ensure that working in this chain is safe, that wages are fair, and that human rights are respected. Due to the high demand for clothing from the fast fashion movement, the textile industry has been disrupted and has become a sector with fierce price competition, a focus on high volumes for low prices, and routine violations of human rights.

What is the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF)?

The Fair Wear Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that strives for better working conditions in the clothing industry. They have been doing this for 25 years and we have been a member of HAVEP since 2004, because sustainable workwear is more than just more sustainable raw materials. FWF works with even more clothing brands, factories, trade unions, NGOs, and governments to improve working conditions for workers in garment factories. A total of 140 brands are now affiliated with the Fair Wear Foundation, and major steps have been taken in countries such as Bangladesh, Bulgaria, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, North Macedonia, Romania, Tunisia, Turkey, and Vietnam.

The need for FWF

The clothing industry is known for manufacturing in low-wage countries where human rights are not at the top of the priority list. Many workers in the clothing industry work under poor conditions: long working days, low wages, unsafe workplaces, and limited rights. Employees are often uneducated or even children. This causes significant problems in a number of manufacturing countries. By engaging in dialogue with the various stakeholders in the clothing industry, the Fair Wear Foundation works hard to raise awareness, set standards, and offer practical solutions.

What exactly does FWF do?

To move from fast fashion to fair fashion, FWF seeks new solutions to old problems. By working with affiliated brands, factories, trade unions, NGOs (non-governmental organizations), and governments, they bring stakeholders together to make a lasting impact and continuously improve the conditions of workers.

Factory inspections and training

Fair Wear regularly conducts independent inspections in factories to assess working conditions. These inspections also result in CAPS: Corrective Action Plans, which are suggestions for improvements. In addition, workers are trained on their rights and safety measures, as set out in the Code of Labor Practices.

Brand evaluations

Fair Wear's Brand Performance Check evaluates how well members have integrated human rights due diligence into their business practices and to what extent they comply with the Fair Wear Code of Labor Practices. All BPCs can be viewed online, including that of HAVEP.

Helplines

Fair Wear offers support to members via complaint helplines, guiding them in implementing improvements in their supply chains and integrating risk-based approaches to prevention and improvement. The complaint helplines offer employees in garment factories the opportunity to express their concerns easily and safely. This mechanism is crucial in identifying and resolving common problems. Fair Wear publicly reports on incoming complaints and their handling on its website.

What are the Fair Wear Foundation's requirements?

1. Work is a free choice
Workers must perform voluntarily chosen work without any form of coercion or forced labor.

2. Freedom of association and collective bargaining
Workers have the right to join trade unions and collectively negotiate terms and conditions of employment, even in situations where this right is restricted.

3. No discrimination in the workplace
Employment and all aspects of the employment relationship must be based on equal opportunity, without discrimination based on various characteristics.

4. No child labor or exploitation
Child labor and all forms of exploitation of workers, including forced labor, are prohibited.

5. Payment of a living wage
Workers must receive a wage that is sufficient to meet their basic needs and provide them and their families with a decent income.

6. Reasonable working hours
Working hours must comply with legal norms and industry standards, and workers must not be regularly required to work overtime or be forced to work long hours.

7. Safe and healthy working conditions
Employers must provide a safe and hygienic working environment and must not tolerate any form of abuse or harassment.

8. Legally binding employment relationships
Employers must not attempt to evade labor obligations through improper contracts and must comply with all labor and social security laws.

How is this monitored?

Together with the Fair Wear Foundation, we are committed to a fair textile chain for everyone. In this process, Fairwear focuses on the working conditions in our sewing workshops. How does the FWF monitor whether brands actually comply with our standards?

1. Flexible monitoring
Every company is different. That is why Fairwear adapts its monitoring based on the unique risks and needs of each member, without prescribing a fixed system.

2. Remediation based on risks
Progress in addressing issues is evaluated based on risks, not just audit results.

3. Cooperation with OECD guidelines
FWF is open to using information from other initiatives, as long as they are in line with the guidelines of the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development).

The Brand Performance Check system offers transparency and accountability, providing detailed insight into the systems, procedures, and progress of members. This makes fair wear unique in the industry and enables us to continuously strive for improvement.

 

What makes fair wear clothing better than other clothing?

Brands that are members of the Fair Wear Foundation do everything they can to comply with the FWF's eight standards. When a brand is a member of the FWF, you can be sure that the workshops where the clothing is produced are strictly audited and that these audits result in effective improvement plans being drawn up and implemented.

Havep workwear - 100% FWF proof!

At HAVEP, we have been a member of the Fair Wear Foundation since 2004 and have achieved leader status since 2021. This is an achievement we are very proud of. Our sustainability, quality, and workshop departments work hard every day to maintain this high standard. Membership of the Fair Wear Foundation is one of the steps we are taking to improve the clothing industry. At HAVEP, we are also committed to a more sustainable planet by actively recycling old workwear.

Curious about the other initiatives we are pursuing to make the textile industry a little better every day? Then get in touch with us!

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