Case Studies

Over the course of its existence, the FLA has successfully strengthened the protections workers enjoy at hundreds of factories around the world. By investigating the conditions in factories and then working to ensure that problems are remediated, the FLA continues to improve workplace conditions in factories worldwide. In addition, through the FLA 3.0 methodology of sustainable compliance, we broaden and deepen our ability to effect change in these workplaces by helping to bring about a new and intrinsic approach to dealing with workers in a fair and respectful manner.

Bangladesh: Compensating Workers Fairly

As part of an FLA independent external monitoring (IEM) audit of a Bangladeshi factory, it was discovered that workers were denied a legally mandated wage increase. As a result, two FLA-affiliated companies manufacturing goods at the factory required that factory management recalculate wages for all workers. The factory subsequently developed a six-month plan to reimburse workers for miscalculated wages, and the workers received the back pay to which they were entitled.

Mexico: Ending Workplace Abuse

FLA independent monitors conducting an audit at a Mexican factory uncovered verbal harassment of workers by supervisors and an employee. This led an FLA-affiliated company to require the factory to conduct additional investigations, document the results, apply disciplinary sanctions, and provide training on non-harassment and abuse policy to both workers and management.

Indonesia: Strengthening Freedom of Association

An FLA IEM at an Indonesian factory uncovered that management had denied workers the right to organize. As a consequence, the FLA-affiliated company that purchased goods from the factory required the factory create a government-registered dialogue between management and labor, train workers about freedom of association, and allow workers to choose their own representatives. 
 

FLA Special Projects

In addition to these cases, the FLA has a number of ongoing projects around the world that offer increasing evidence of the possibilities of improved working conditions that can come from the introduction of a system of sustainable compliance. Click here to view information on FLA Special Projects.