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To reduce the risk to workers displaced due to the war in Ukraine, ETI established a working group with its members shortly after the Russian invasion, in early Spring 2022.
The aim of the working group has been to facilitate knowledge and intelligence sharing, identify good practice and develop practical guidelines. To ensure maximum coordination and collaboration, the working group has also been open to interested non-members working on this issue. Working group participants have collected and shared information received from suppliers and other stakeholders inside Ukraine and in neighbouring countries on the evolving situation and risks to displaced workers. ETI has also collated information on potential supply chain overlaps across 800 suppliers working with participating companies in seven countries (Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, Moldova, Italy and Germany). By mapping conflict-affected supply chains, ETI working group members have able to facilitate coordinated and consistent supplier advice and communication.
Employment & integration
Building upon lessons learned from the experience of Syrian refugees working in Turkey’s garment industry and with feedback and input from allied organisations the ETI working group has developed practical guidelines for suppliers on how to support the integration and employment of refugees and displaced people.
With input from the International Organisation for Migration, International Trade Union Confederation, Fair Wear Foundation and AIM-Progress, these guidelines provide a detailed list of specific dos and don’ts when it comes to providing secure, decent, safe and fair work with mainstreaming of gender considerations. The guidelines also outline measures to reduce the risk of abuse of workers who may be in a vulnerable situation; including risks of trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation. These guidelines are available in English, Italian, Polish, Romanian and Ukrainian, below.
We're asking all ETI members to help spread the word, by sharing these directly with affected suppliers and stakeholders, and via social media using our dissemination pack. Please share with your communication colleagues to support the visibility of this new resource.
Language(s)
English
A brief introduction to the guidelines
Further resources
Local Resource Database: To support the guidelines, the working group has produced a database of local resources. This includes resources and contact details for local organisations in each of the affected countries where suppliers can turn for further support and information.
The Just Good Work App: Developed by the ETI member and working group participant The Very Group, and the social enterprise Fifty-Eight, this app provides where job-seekers and workers can receive critical information and advice for everything needed on their journey to work in Romania, Poland and the UK. The app can be accessed here on Google play or via apple store along with further resources from Just Good Work that brands and their suppliers can use to further promote the app.
ETI Contact
Laurent Arnone, Apparel & Textile Adviser, ETI