Catalyzing Positive Change for Workers
Transparency is essential to upholding fair labor standards and protecting workers throughout product supply chains. If we don’t know what is happening behind the scenes in factories and on farms around the world, we cannot address the issues and make positive changes. As affiliates of FLA, companies agree to subject their supply chains to independent assessments and monitoring - the results of which are published here. This type of transparency helps consumers make more informed decisions about the products they buy and helps ensure brand accountability. There is no perfect brand or factory - labor issues are often identified even at the best facilities. FLA's assessments lead to an open and honest dialogue about the conditions that workers face and facilitate swift action in consultation with workers' groups, civil society organizations and others.
Assessments
Affiliates may request assessments in addition to FLA's standard monitoring. FLA also assesses compliance programs of Participating Companies, accrediting those in substantial compliance with FLA's Code.
Tracking Charts
Since 2002, FLA has conducted more than 1,500 unannounced factory visits throughout the supply chains of company affiliates. The results of these assessments are publicly available.
Safeguards
FLA's transparent and effective process for handling third party complaints and investigations addresses workers' rights violations flagged by union representatives, workers, or local CSOs.
On June 30, 2020, Participating Company Amer Sports contacted the Fair Labor Association to communicate that it had received a complaint from a board member of the union at the factory Wells Apparel Nicaragua, from which the company sources products. The complaint alleged that (1) factory management had dismissed six union board members, who were entitled to fuero sindical protection, without complying with legal requirements; and (2) there was a potential risk that an additional union official currently under maternity leave would also be unlawfully dismissed.
On January 31, 2020, the Fair Labor Association (FLA) received a Third Party Complaint with respect to the factory Bienno Sociedad Anónima Guatemala filed by the Comité Ad Hoc de trabajadores de Bienno S.A. (Bienno Workers Ad Hoc Committee).
On June 11, 2019, the Fair Labor Association (FLA) received a Third Party Complaint from the union Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Hilandería de Algodón Peruano S.A. concerning issues arising at the factory Hilandería de Algodón Peruano S.A.
On July 8, 2019, the Fair Labor Association received a Third Party Complaint (TPC) from the union Sindicato de Trabajadores de Star (SITRASTAR) with respect to the then-pending closure of the Star S.A. facility in El Progreso, Yoro Department, Honduras, a facility owned and operated by the FLA-affiliated company Gildan. The TPC followed on prior communications from SITRASTAR providing information and raising concerns about the plans for the facility’s closure.
The Fair Labor Association and Iyi Pamuk Uygulamalari Dernegi (Good Cotton Practices Association), a strategic partner of the Better Cotton Initiative in Turkey, in 2017 launched “Improving Employment Practices in the Turkish Cotton Sector—Toward Decent Working Condition in Cotton Farms in Şanlıurfa,” a project in partnership with seven global brands—adidas, Asos, IKEA Range and Supply, Inditex, Nike, Puma and PVH—sourcing apparel and other cotton products in Turkey.
Towards Decent Working Conditions in Cotton Farms in Sanliurfa: A Lessons Learned Report
Acushnet Company works with supplier in Thailand to protect workers' rights to freedom of association following an FLA assessment.
Following an FLA assessment, VF Corporation works with supplier in El Salvador to ensure accurate compensation for overtime work.
adidas and Nike work with a Vietnamese apparel supplier to prevent forced labor, respect freedom of association, and protect the health and safety of the factory's 2,275 workers following an FLA assessment.
adidas and Forty Seven Brand work with supplier in Bangladesh to prevent discrimination against pregnant women following an FLA assessment.
On June 30, 2020, Participating Company Amer Sports contacted the Fair Labor Association to communicate that it had received a complaint from a board member of the union at the factory Wells Apparel Nicaragua, from which the company sources products. The complaint alleged that (1) factory management had dismissed six union board members, who were entitled to fuero sindical protection, without complying with legal requirements; and (2) there was a potential risk that an additional union official currently under maternity leave would also be unlawfully dismissed.
On January 31, 2020, the Fair Labor Association (FLA) received a Third Party Complaint with respect to the factory Bienno Sociedad Anónima Guatemala filed by the Comité Ad Hoc de trabajadores de Bienno S.A. (Bienno Workers Ad Hoc Committee).
On June 11, 2019, the Fair Labor Association (FLA) received a Third Party Complaint from the union Sindicato de Trabajadores de la Hilandería de Algodón Peruano S.A. concerning issues arising at the factory Hilandería de Algodón Peruano S.A.
On July 8, 2019, the Fair Labor Association received a Third Party Complaint (TPC) from the union Sindicato de Trabajadores de Star (SITRASTAR) with respect to the then-pending closure of the Star S.A. facility in El Progreso, Yoro Department, Honduras, a facility owned and operated by the FLA-affiliated company Gildan. The TPC followed on prior communications from SITRASTAR providing information and raising concerns about the plans for the facility’s closure.
The FLA engaged the independent experts who conducted this Safeguards investigation at the request of FLA-affiliated companies Fanatics and adidas as well as adidas licensee Streetwear, Inc.