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OECD FORUM’S SIDE SESSION ON DUE DILIGENCE IN THE GARMENT AND FOOTWEAR SECTOR

23/02/2024

This week, CDI as part of STITCH hosted an #OECD side session to inspire industry alignment on #meaningfulstakeholderengagement within human rights due diligence #HRDD in the garment and textiles industry, emphasizing the central roles of production country stakeholders and sharing different practical tools. Speakers ranging from trade unions, and society organizations, suppliers and multistakeholder initiatives took part in this event. 

CDI representatives shared about the WE CHECK mobile application – a useful and friendly tool for workers to self-assess their working conditions and send questions and complaints which to be answered and handled by relevant actors. 

Together with over 170 people, we explored different avenues to engage with stakeholders in a way that creates real impact on working conditions, at different levels within the due diligence cycle.  

Meaningful stakeholder engagement is essential for #OECD-aligned #HRDD, particularly as we anticipate the forthcoming EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (#CSDDD). However, for garment brands, navigating this landscape brings forth a multitude of inquiries on how to make stakeholder engagement meaningful. Here are a few takeaways: 

  • Meaningful stakeholder engagement takes a collaborative approach between the identified stakeholders; long-lasting, meaningful impact can only be created jointly. 
  • Meaningful stakeholder engagement is centered around production country stakeholders; their knowledge and experience are essential to improving working conditions sustainably. 
  • Stakeholder engagement is meaningful once workers’ voices are listened to and considered in the stakeholders’ decision-making across the global supply chain. 
  • Meaningful stakeholder engagement is a continuous process embedded throughout a brand’s entire HRDD cycle. 

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STITCH (Sustainable Textile Initiative: Together for Change) is a consortium comprising six organisations: Centre for Integration and Development, Cividep, CNV Internationaal, Ethical Trade Initiative UK, Fair Wear Foundation and Mondiaal FNV. STITCH envision a global garment industry that contributes to an equal and just society by respecting human rights in the world of work.