European
Union rules are needed to oblige textile and clothing suppliers to respect workers’ rights, said
the Members of European Parliament (MEPs) in a resolution. Textile workers
around the world, many of whom are young women and children, suffer long
working hours, low wages, uncertainty, violence and hazardous conditions, noted
the MEPs.
In an effort to push the ''flagship initiative'' aimed at
preventing tragedies like the April 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in
Bangladesh, MEPs suggested a series of measures. The EU Commission should table
a legislative proposal for a binding due diligence system, based on OECD
guidelines and similar to those for the so-called blood minerals, that covers
the whole supply chain.
The EU should ensure that textile exporting countries with
preferential access to the EU market comply with obligations and produce sustainable textiles, while member states should
promote workers'' rights in their relations with partner countries. The members
also suggested making the ''social impact of production'' visible on clothes that
can help bring about lasting change, and helping EU institutions to set a good
example in their public procurement of textiles.
"We cannot turn a blind eye, if our clothes are made at the
cost of vast human suffering. Only binding rules could guarantee that products
sold on European markets do not violate the dignity and the rights of millions
of workers. The EU has the means to act and we ask the Commission to do so.”
said rapporteur Lola Sánchez Caldentey (GUE/NGL, ES).The resolution was adopted
by 505 votes against 49 with 57 abstentions.
Source: News Times, United Kingdom Saturday, 29 April 2017