FLA at the 2025 OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector

From February 10 to February 14, 2025, FLA was pleased to participate both online and in person for events surrounding the 2025 OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector.

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In-Person Roundtable: Unpacking Pay Equity and Living Wages in European Fashion Value Chains (hosted by Global Fashion Agenda and PwC; by invitation only)

Monday, February 11, 2025 – 3:30 p.m. CET
FLA’s Tiffany Rogers joined an executive roundtable designed to shed light on how to improve pay equity and living wages in European fashion value chains, leveraging OECD’s Handbook on Due Diligence and Living Wages and Global Fashion Agenda / PwC’s Unpacking Pay Equity Italy report.

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Business Networking Lunch: Exploring Due Diligence Challenges and Opportunities in Upstream Supply Chains (by invitation only)

Wednesday, February 12, 12 p.m. CET
Developing robust due diligence processes that address risks in the upstream parts of the supply chain has become critical for global companies. Over lunch, FLA staff and select members and partners discussed resources, tools, and initiatives that support companies in understanding and addressing risks in upstream supply chains; shared best practices and case examples; and explored how collaboration and collective actions can move the needle on some of the most serious and systemic issues.

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In-Person Roundtable: Dialogue and Knowledge Exchange for Civil Society and NGOs on Bangladesh and Living Wage (by invitation only)

Wednesday, February 12, 2025 – 1:30 p.m. CET
Unions, civil society organizations, and non-government organizations joined FLA, Awaj Foundation, Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation, and GIZ to discuss collective efforts to bring more transparency and advocacy on labor rights reform in Bangladesh. Represented were organizations such as Anker Research Institute, Arisa, Better Buying Institute, Center for Child Rights and Business, Ethical Trading Initiative, FairWear, Fashion Revolution, Goodweave, ILO, ILO BetterWork Bangladesh, IndustriALL, the International Trade Union Confederation, Labour Behind the Label, Öz İplik İş, Social Accountability International, and Wage Indicator Foundation.

Participants were invited to share knowledge and goals on projects and programs related to the topic and country – including learning from FLA and GIZ on its case study project on living wage in Bangladesh, wage trends from FLA’s Fair Compensation Toolkit, complaint-resolution channels, and experiences in engaging with workers and data analytics from other organizations. 

This session also included time to discuss how the latest minimum wage update, current political transition, and advocacy efforts to support better labor standards in the garment industry and the priorities set by the workers and employers in Bangladesh

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Virtual Side Session: High Risks and Important Opportunities in the Indian Cotton Sector

Thursday, February 13, 2025 – 3:30 a.m. ET | 9:30 a.m. CET
In a session focusing on the need and the opportunity for the apparel sector to address high risks of child labor and forced labor in raw materials, Transparentem presented its investigation on organic and conventional cotton farms in India, discussed the actions taken so far by Indian suppliers and dozens of global apparel companies, and called more companies to action. Beginning in October 2023, Transparentem reached out to 60 international buyers whose supply chains were potentially connected to investigated farms. Almost half of those companies have joined together with the Fair Labor Association (FLA) to prevent and respond to labor abuses in the region of Madhya Pradesh, India, where Transparentem’s investigation took place. FLA presented information about the new program, Harvesting the Future – Cotton in India, and invited broader participation. Watch the panel.

Speakers:

• Claudia Baethgen, Project Manager, Transparentem
• Karen Stauss, Director of Strategic Engagement, Transparentem
• Richa Mittal, Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer, FLA

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Virtual Side Session: Enabling Higher Wages for Garment Workers Through Purchasing Practices: Case Studies from Vietnam and Bangladesh

Friday, February 14, 2025 – 4 a.m. ET | 10 a.m. CET
FLA and GIZ hosted a side session on how collaboration between brands and suppliers can promote fair wages and equitable working conditions for garment workers. Through case studies of two GIZ-funded projects led by FLA in partnership with GIZ’s Initiative for Global Solidarity and Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, participants explored the gap between legal minimum wages and living wages, and how responsible purchasing practices—such as fair pricing, long-term partnerships, and predictable order volumes—can help bridge this divide. The session also emphasized the importance of integrating worker voices in wage-focused projects; how the unique political and economic contexts in Vietnam and Bangladesh influence wage policies and working conditions; and underscored the crucial role brands play in driving positive wage outcomes.

Speakers:

• Phuong Do, Director of Social Compliance and Accreditation, FLA
• Tiffany Rogers, Director of Innovation and Development, Manufacturing, FLA
• Chaimae Azmi, Fair Compensation and Member Engagement Manager, FLA
• Miriam Keegan, Social Compliance Associate, FLA (Moderator)
• Guy Stuart, Executive Director, GWD
• Anina Buse, Project Manager Living Wages & Purchasing Practices, GIZ/Partnership for Sustainable Textiles
• Veronique Rochet, Senior Director of Sustainability, PUMA
• Robert Hellwig, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Ortovox
• Syed Yusuf Mahbub Ali, Park (Bangladesh) Company Ltd.