Apparel Online India Magazine May 2nd Issue 2018 | Page 18
SUSTAINABILITY
THE LATEST NEWS HAVE YOUR SAY
For the latest news on apparel
and textile, make sure that you visit
https://apparelresources.com/top-news/ Write to Apparel Resources, B-32,
South Extension-1, New Delhi (110049), India or email:
[email protected]
Sedex Awards
Sedex Awards were given
in various categories, and to
mention some:
Most Innovative New Programme:
Laborlink (USA) for their mobile
technology that established a two-way
communication channel for workers to
share their anonymous views in real-
time, and for companies to receive
unfiltered data directly from workers.
Best New Programme Implemented:
Clas Ohlson (Sweden) worked
with QuizRR to build capacity and
awareness through innovative training
solutions in workers’ rights and
responsibilities, health & safety and
worker engagement.
Shortlisted from India
and Bangladesh
Globalised Campaign Welfare
Society (GCWS), Delhi was shortlisted
continuously for the second time
for providing guidance on social
compliance and female safety for
factories so that they can improve
their social performance over the time.
Sajid Ansari, President, GCWS, who
claims to be associated with hundreds
of apparels and home furnishing
companies across India, shared with
Apparel Online: “We will improve our
ways to approach the workers and will
increase our reach, focusing more on
effective communication, so that we
can serve better to the industry.”
From Bangladesh, Jinnat Knitwear
Ltd. was also shortlisted for the female
supervisor leadership programme
which was initiated in 2014 to
promote female line operators to
the supervisor position, allowing the
workforce to feel empowered and
reducing female employee turnover.
as well as the importance of
companies maintaining standards
once compliance has been achieved.
only ‘voluntary’ assessments, as
well as the ways to look beyond
the physical security of workers to
understand their true ‘well-being’.
Panellist agreed that regarding
‘Transforming supplier training and
capacity building’, collaboration was
key and that the sharing of expertise
and understanding was integral
to achieve real improvements.
Interestingly, alternative routes of
communication were discussed,
with the suggestions of buyers’ first
building relationships with suppliers
before actioning audits, as these can
often be viewed negatively.
Some speakers challenged the
standard compliance processes,
and discussed how they are
implementing new practices, which
includes replacing traditional audit
reliance with great engagement
with suppliers and greater attention
on Self-Assessment Questionnaire
(SAQs), with real, tangible results.
Experts focused on how companies
can use the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) as a guide to go beyond
compliance. Speakers reiterated
Keren Pybus, Co-Founder and
the importance of viewing the
CEO, Ethical Apparel Africa
goals alongside each other and
discussed changes in the apparel
emphasised that learning from
manufacturing industry in Africa,
and communicating with other
alongside videos of Linda
businesses is also key to
Ampah, Founder
improving your own
Session
and CEO, KAD
sustainability policies.
on ‘Modern
Manufacturing
Modern slavery
Slavery – turning
Limited who
was also a point
talk into action’ focused
offered real-life
of discussion
on what businesses
stories of how
and attraction
and legislators can do to
her employees’
for participants.
combat slavery, including
lives have
Warner Ten Kate,
the delivery of schemes
changed for the
the Dutch National
for victim support,
better, through
Public Prosecutor
investment in training
the training
for Trafficking in
and capability of
of