On 6 November 2009, Fair Wear Foundation opened the doors to its new location in Amsterdam. Champagne, organic bites by Kamerkook and music & entertainment made for a festive Friday afternoon. As a bonus, Rivema’s CEO Bernhard Richtering Blenken and his Chinese business partner signed the FWF Code of Labour Practices.

Thus, Rivema’s membership per 1 November 2009 was official. Rivema is the company behind technical work wear firm Roughnecks. In a short speech, Richtering Blenken explained that to him, ethical production perfectly fits Roughnecks’ tough image. Even before he joined FWF, Richtering Blenken had been working on better labour conditions in close collaboration with the manager of the main production facility in China for years.