Washington, D.C.— On September 30th, US Customs and Border (CBP) announced a ban on palm oil imported from FGV Holdings Berhad (FGV) — one of Malaysia’s largest palm oil companies and a joint venture partner and major palm oil supplier to Procter & Gamble — due to its use of forced labor. 

The Cotton Campaign welcomes the commitment of Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade to seek responsible investment in Uzbekistan‘s cotton sector and to support reforms to end forced labor.

Today, I am excited to announce the merger of two allied organizations — the International Labor Rights Forum and Global Labor Justice.  Developed over many months with the strong support of our allies, board, and staff, our new partnership is coming together at a critical time. As quite literally every person in the world faces a common threat in the form of a global pandemic, workers are simultaneously more isolated and connected than ever before.  At a time when state and corporate responses leave workers around the world in crisis — locked into dangerous working conditions or locked out of jobs with essential wages and benefits — it is clear we must work together to build durable transnational alliances that advance a new strategic vision with labor and human rights in the foreground. Progressive economy efforts can no longer be seen as a parochial, national issue. Transnational movements and strategic campaigns are fundamental to a future that includes decent work, development, and democracy in the U.S. and around the world.  Together we will strengthen the force behind these efforts by providing greater strategic capacity, support, and momentum.

ในวันแรงงานสากล  สภาสิทธิแรงงานนานาชาติ ไอแอลอาร์เอฟ (International Labor Rights Forum, ILRF) เรียกร้องให้ รัฐบาลไทย บริษัทอาหารทะเลต่าง ๆ และผู้ซื้อในระดับโลก รับรองสิทธิที่จะมีเสรีภาพในการรวมตัวและการร่วมเจรจาต่อรองของแรงงานข้ามชาติ เพื่อยุติปัญหาการใช้

Apparel companies around the world responded to the Covid-19 crisis with an immediate resort to the risk-mitigating measures built into global supply chains. Their mass cancellation of orders has left factories around the world without cash to pay their workers. A statement by the International Organization of Employers (IOE) and Global Unions published today provides a collective approach to mitigating the massive loss of life, jobs and income in garment supply chains caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic is exposing the grossly unequal power relations that define global garment supply chains, with workers paying the price. Today the many organizations behind the world-wide Clean Clothes Campaign network are calling for action from brands and retailers -- as well as governments and other stakeholders -- that aims to mitigate the impact of this crisis on those already most exploited in supply chains and to build towards a future in which workers have access to living wages and a social safety net.

The global Covid-19 pandemic continues to grow and spread. Half of the world’s population is under some form of lock-down or movement restriction in order to control the spread of the novel coronavirus. Garment workers in global supply chains, who already grapple with poverty wages and precarious living situations, face increasing insecurity as factories close in response to steep drops in orders and as governments shut down manufacturing to protect public health.