Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) is one step closer to building stronger supply chain relationships thanks to last week’s launch of the Factory Guide, an online training tool designed to improve communication between garment factories and their customers.
Developed with the support of Swiss NGO Brot Für Alle, the Factory Guide is part of FWF’s Workplace Education Programme (WEP) and expands on the nonprofit’s vision that improving conditions for garment workers is a responsibility that must be shared between clothing brands and factories. Spokesperson Sophie Koers described the guide as a “more accessible and attractive way” for brands to inform their suppliers about FWF’s goals.
With 80 member companies representing more than 120 brands, FWF is active in 15 production countries in Asia, Europe and Africa. Member brands can invite their factories to participate in the guide, which explains how labor standards work in practice and what factories can expect from FWF audits. It also clarifies FWF’s vision on supply chain relationships, complaints handling and training.
Participating brands will receive regular updates about the progress that’s being made by their suppliers in working through the guide’s topics, while managers will have the opportunity to share their thoughts about issues related to labor standards, both with brands and with FWF.
“Often, brand practices inhibit improvements on the work floor, but factories do not have the tools to raise these issues with their customers,” Koers said.