
Labor Rights
The US$2.4 trillion garment and footwear industry, employs millions of workers worldwide. Clothes and shoes produced in countries in Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe or other parts find their way into the clothes racks in the US, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Australia. Labor abuses in factories that produce these clothes and shoes are rife. In countries around the world, factory owners and managers often fire pregnant workers or deny maternity leave; retaliate against workers who join or form unions; force workers to do overtime work or risk losing their job; and turn a blind eye when male managers or workers sexually harass female workers. Human Rights Watch researches and advocates for the rights of workers by exposing the failures of the governments of countries where these factories are located and scrutinizing corporate accountability practices of global apparel and footwear brands.
Videos
Videos-
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December 18, 2019
Fashion’s Next Trend
Accelerating Supply Chain Transparency in the Apparel and Footwear Industry
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April 23, 2019
“Paying for a Bus Ticket and Expecting to Fly”
How Apparel Brand Purchasing Practices Drive Labor Abuses
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News
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July 2, 2024
Cambodia: Smear Campaign against Labor Group
ILO, Global Brands Should Denounce Threats Following Freedom of Association Report
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February 14, 2022
Workers Sue Dyson on Allegations of Forced Labor in Malaysian Supplier
Case Should Drive Scrutiny of Social Audits Industry, Transparency Long Overdue
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July 12, 2021
Sri Lanka: Protect Garment Workers’ Rights During Pandemic
Compromised Safety, Pay Cuts, Representatives Threatened
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June 4, 2021
France Moves Closer to Ratifying Workplace Harassment Treaty
Parliament Should Support Ratification and Improve Protections in National Law
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January 13, 2021
Cambodia: Escalating Crackdown Amid Pandemic
Muted Response from Donors Emboldens Hun Sen
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September 30, 2020
India: Amnesty International Forced to Halt Work
Government Increasingly Targeting Rights Groups
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August 27, 2020
German Economics Ministry Blocks Effective Supply Chains Law
Companies’ Respect for Rights at Particular Risk During Covid-19
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July 20, 2020
Cambodia: Joint Open Letter to Foreign Governments