H&M Signs Agreement With Suppliers, Trade Union To End Gender Violence

A unit employing 5,000 workers will have shop-floor monitors, elected and trained TTCU persons to report sexual abuse anonymously.

A representational image of a survivor and an abuser | Credit: Pixabay

Chennai: H&M, a global fashion retailer, signed an agreement with Tamil Nadu Textile and Common Labour Union (TTCU) and two other global labour rights organisations to bring an end to gender-based violence in manufacturing units. 

The Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA) and Global Labour Justice International Labour Rights Forum (GLJ-ILRF) have also entered the agreement, said a report on The Hindu. 

The agreement is aimed at implementing worker-anchored initiatives for Eastman Exports' unit "Natchi Apparel" in Kaithian Kottai in Dindigul. The unit employing 5000 workers will also have shop-floor monitors, elected and trained TTCU persons to report sexual abuse anonymously. 

The agreement was signed after a year of TTCU and other organisations organising campaigns to end harassment since a 20-year-old woman was sexually abused and murdered by her supervisor in the factory. 

On the agreement, AFWA said, it is one of the few times ever a global brand has taken up the accountability and entered into an agreement to end gender-related violence in Asia. 

TTCU state president Thivya Rakini said, the agreement was a milestone with especially "Safe Circles" which would help to provide regular training for workers, supervisors and managers and follow-up on sexual harassment complaints.

The Dindigul Agreement is the second legally-bind agreement in Asia to hold brands liable for the industry but first agreement to end sexual harassment and violence. 

The first agreement was signed in 2018 with 200 brands including H&M and Inditex.