More than 100 global apparel and footwear companies have pledged to tackle forced labor risks for migrant workers in supply chains. Signatories, including Adidas, Levi’s, Eileen Fisher, Nike, New Balance, Ralph Lauren and Patagonia, have committed to a treaty drawn up by the American Apparel & Footwear Association and Fair Labor Association.
The commitment provides an industry effort to address potential forced labour risks for migrant workers, with each signatory committing to working with partners to create conditions where no worker pays for their job; where workers retain control of their travel documents and have full freedom of movement; and where workers are informed of the basic terms of their employment before joining the workforce.
The signing companies also agree to work to “seriously and effectively” implement these practices, to incorporate the Commitment into their social compliance standards by December 31, 2019, and to periodically report actions through sustainability and/or modern slavery legal disclosures.
