IndustriALL Global Union, the world’s largest trade union federation representing 50 million workers, along with H&M Group and the Swedish trade union IF Metall, have signed an updated global framework agreement to protect the rights of over one million garment workers.
Reflecting on eight years of collaboration, this renewed Global Framework Agreement (GFA) signifies a heightened commitment to upholding the fundamental rights of workers throughout H&M Group’s supply chain. The agreement encompasses over one million garment workers employed at approximately 1,000 factories operated by manufacturers from whom H&M Group sources its products.
IndustriALL general secretary Atle Hoie, said on the GFA, “With this renewed agreement we continue the important work in the sector of further empowering workers and unions in H&M’s supply chain. The GFA includes significant achievements, like the inclusion of all core ILO conventions, as well as ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment. Neutrality in union organising is another important element of the agreement.”
Hoie informed, that the national monitoring committees, a global steering committee, a joint industrial relations development committee, and importantly a dispute resolution mechanism that is bound by the decision of the independent mediator, provide a solid ground for functional industrial relations needed for a sustainable textile and garment industry.
The agreement features an updated governance structure to ensure effective implementation, a commitment to collaborate on due diligence in line with OECD Guidelines, and strengthened language on preventing and addressing gender-based violence and harassment. The updates also emphasise the importance of industry collaboration, such as ACT, the ACCORD, the RSC, and the Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) in Bangladesh, to improve working conditions for all.
The Global Framework Agreement will continue to establish that the parties will jointly promote the signing of collective agreements at the factory, company, and industry levels between relevant social partners. Also, workers have the right to refuse unsafe work as part of their health and safety rights.
Under the GFA, training will be provided for both management and union representatives on employers’ responsibilities, workers’ rights and obligations, industrial relations, collective bargaining agreements, and peaceful conflict resolution.
Under the renewed agreement H&M will actively use its leverage to ensure that its direct suppliers respect human and trade union rights in the workplace. Also, workers’ representatives will not face discrimination and will have access to carry out their representative functions in the workplace, according to GFA.
“We are proud of this long-lasting collaboration with IndustriALL and IF Metall to continue empowering workers in our supply chain. Well-functioning industrial relations including collective bargaining are key to achieving good working conditions and improved wages in our supply chain. This contributes to a more sustainable fashion industry through functioning labour markets in the countries where we source our products from,” H&M Group CEO Daniel Ervér said.
IF Metall president Marie Nilsson said, “Through this agreement, we renew the commitment to realise a sustainable garment industry, where workers are organised by trade unions. Now the important part begins, ensuring that we move from policy to practice. We are excited to continue this important partnership.”
H&M, IndustriALL, and IF Metall first signed a Global Framework Agreement in 2015, which was subsequently renewed in 2016.