FLA Joins Central America Workplace Health Project Fair Labor Association (FLA) is part of a new project led by La Isla Network with funding from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of International Labor Affairs. The multi-stakeholder project, Prevention, Resilience, Efficiency, and Protection (PREP 4 Change), will address occupational health hazards and COVID-related risks in the sugar sector in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, the coffee sector in Honduras, and the apparel sector in El Salvador. FLA will manage the project in the Salvadoran apparel sector. Activities will promote the adoption of practices to prevent, mitigate, and remediate workplace illness and injuries. For example, increasing the use of social protection systems for workers affected by illness or injury. The project will also build capacity to address future pandemics and other emerging health concerns by employers, unions, and government institutions.

FLA Announces New Phase of Harvesting the Future Fair Labor Association (FLA) has announced a new phase of its Turkey-based Harvesting the Future initiative, with efforts continuing through the end of 2023. The project is a multi-commodity, multi-stakeholder, and multi-geography approach to address child labor and responsible recruitment among seasonal agriculture migrant workers in Turkey. The first phase resulted in increased capacity by project partners to map their supply chains, develop child labor monitoring programs, and conduct risk assessments.  The second phase includes hazelnuts, grapes, cumin, and tea. It will address topics identified by partners during the risk analysis completed in phase one. Work will emphasize access to remedy, encompassing child protection and child labor remediation, elimination of hazardous work for workers under 18, and grievance mechanisms.   The new phase will also focus on improving access to essential services for seasonal agriculture migrant families, strengthening responsible recruitment, and exploring the application of living wage standards. Stakeholder engagement and training workshops are scheduled throughout 2022.

Recaps Share Lessons from Harvesting the Future

FLA published a technical report on Harvesting the Future.

SAI Platform released a Harvesting the Future case study.

Watch a recording of a webinar about Harvesting the Future.

Online Hub Centralizes Garment Sector Resources

Factories looking for guidance, brands seeking industry data, and advocates interested in labor rights news can turn to Asia Garment Hub, an online platform packed with information and resources about the garment sector in Asia. The site, a joint effort of the International Labour Organization’s Decent Work in Garment Supply Chains in Asia and GIZ’s FABRIC, is described as a ‘one-stop shop’ that promotes and operationalizes decent work and sustainable business practices in supply chains. Content is categorized by country and thematic focus and includes resources submitted by sector stakeholders. The hub also offers a real-time, curated newsfeed of industry stories. Learn more and create a profile here.

Fair Labor Digest KnowTheChain warns in a new report (pdf) that companies are failing to introduce human rights due diligence processes to identify and prevent forced labor in global supply chains. Labor and sustainability advocates outline amendments to the proposed Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act (Assembly Bill A8352) in an open letter. The legislation, if approved, could make New York the first U.S. state to hold fashion brands accountable for sustainability and workers’ rights. The Coalition to End Uyghur Forced Labour called on the International Olympic Committee to find and remove any Olympic-branded merchandise made with materials from Uyghur forced labor in advance of the Beijing Games. The 2022 Winter Olympics are scheduled to begin on February 3 amid international concerns around COVID and human rights abuses in China. Arnold & Porter offers insights on the implications of the Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act. The new U.S. law is scheduled to take effect in June.

Candidates Sought for Elimination of Child Labor Award The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of International Affairs is seeking nominations for its 2022 Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labor.

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