Yesterday and today, FWF participated in the second multi-stakeholder forum of FLO, the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International, in Utrecht. The goal of this meeting was to discuss FLO’s approach to textiles and more specifically how Fairtrade can contribute to improving labour conditions in the textile industry. Through a number of pilot projects, FLO will investigate different options with a range of partners. One of these explores the question of third party verification: to what extend does it lead to measurably improved labour conditions along textile supply chains?

At the forum, FWF director Erica van Doorn in cooperation with Max Havelaar Switzerland presented the work of FWF as a third party verification initiative. Central themes in the discussion were worker empowerment, mature industrial relations, transparency and accountability and the quality of buyer-supplier relationships.

On 2 and 3 March, fashion students, teachers and organisations gathered in London for a conference organised by the FEI project. Fashioning an Ethical Industry is an EU-funded product by Labour Behind the Label, the British branch of Clean Clothes Campaign. During the conference, Sophie Koers from FWF took part in a panel and tried to answer the question 'How can ethical practices can be integrated into the design and business of fashion?'

Also on the panel were Anannya Bhattacharjee from the Asia Floor Wage Campaign, Alex Mcintosh (Centre for Sustainable Fashion) and Nieves 'snow' Ruiz Ramos, founder of the ethical fashion brand Bibico. FWF's presentation contained material from the latest FWF publication: the Fair Wear formula, which will come out later this month. Our images of a fashion supply chain, developed by consultant Anne Lally and the FWF team and designed by Ruben at buro RuSt, was a huge succes. So much so, that a renowned British writer asked to use it in her book, and a Dutch Fashion institute wants to use it as course material...

First, though, we're anxious to see the actual book. As soon as it's out, we'll let you know!

For its funding application and strategic planning, the Fair Trade Alliance of which FWF is a member is looking for a project coordinator, starting immediately.

Our verification coordinator Ivo Spauwen is in China, sitting in on some audits and meeting our local partners and stakeholders. Yesterday he arrived in Hong Kong, where he will be performing a Management System Audit at the Hong Kong Headquarters of one of FWF’s affiliates.

Our verification coordinator Ivo Spauwen is in China, sitting in on some audits and meeting our local partners and stakeholders. Click to read what he wrote to us about his progress. For his adventures during his trip last September/October, see the news archive.