Representatives Inditex, which is the world's biggest fashion retailer, joined the meetings for the sessions on improving social dialogue, industrial relations and sustainability along the the supply chains. The first meeting took place in Bangalore on 11 June and the second meeting was held on 13 June, in Delhi.
Javier Díaz Pena, Inditex Social Sustainability Manager, gave a presentation on the commitment of the global brand by signing the GFA with IndustriALL Global Union and the implementation of the GFA among the suppliers by stating the importance of Freedom of Association, Children Rights, Children Rights, Women Empowerment, Health&Safety Porjects.
Apoorva Kaiwar, IndustriALL South Asia Regional Secretary, addressed the meeting to talk about textile and garment workers’ conditions and rights in India, the importance of being a union member and being paid living wages; and the benefits of GFAs. The meeting of the suppliers is intended help to protect and promote workers’ conditions throughout the Inditex’s supply chain.
Christina Hajagos-Clausen, IndustriALL director for the textile and garment industry, said:
“We are strengthening industrial relations and social dialogue in the textile and garment industries. Industry-wide GFAs have the capacity to ensure living wages and decent conditions for workers in the industry. The active involvement of suppliers in the process would help us to build stronger social dialogue and powerful industrial relations.”