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17 October, 2024The Inditex global union committee was established following provisions in the global framework agreement signed in 2019. The committee is empowered to implement the GFA, to share best practices in promoting the freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, and to increase local unions’ involvement in the application of the GFA.
On 8-9 October, union representatives from Inditex’ six global production clusters, together with representatives from IndustriALL’s Spanish affiliates CCOO Industria and UGT-FICA discussed and evaluated the 2023-2024 global strategic plan.
Building capacity of trade union leaders and factory management in unionized factories and raising awareness around GBVH were key priorities. The committee noted that there still is a need to improve the implementation of the agreement in non-unionized suppliers.
Many of the production clusters presented on resolved union rights violations. But cases pending resolution through the GFA complaints mechanism were also highlighted. The MENA Inditex council presented a report on continued violations of freedom of association in the MENA region, indicating that the report will be forwarded to Inditex management.
“The Inditex GFA is a tool for unions to improve working conditions, but it is also a way for unions to hold Inditex accountable for any violations in their supply chain. We need to continue to push forward in the implementation and ensure that workers’ rights to freedom on association and collective bargaining are respected and, in cases of labour rights violations, are remedied,”
said IndustriALL textile and garment director Christina Hajagos-Clausen.
The global committee passed three resolutions supporting workers in Inditex’s supply chain. The first resolution supports Cambodian affiliates, demanding that Inditex live up to its public commitments and sign the agreement to support collectively bargained wages in the garment, textile, footwear and travel goods industry in Cambodia. Recently, all IndustriALL Cambodian affiliates jointly sent a letter to the CEO, urging that Inditex sign the legally binding support agreement.
In support of Bangladesh, the committee calls on Inditex to continue its long-term commitment to Bangladesh and to ensure that workers are paid for the periods of unrest, that Inditex does not penalize suppliers for order delays as a result of such factory closures and other barriers to normal production and transportation, and that Inditex continues to place orders with Bangladeshi suppliers to help build confidence in the economic and political future of the country.
The committee also called on Inditex to make its supplier list pubic in order to ensure transparency.
“These resolutions are necessary to ensure global trade union solidarity among the members of the global union committee and to implement trade union action to ensure decent work throughout Inditex’ supply chain,”
said Victor Garrido from Spanish union CCOO Industria.
In addition to meeting with Inditex CRS management, the global committee joined the meeting of the Inditex European Works Council. The meeting highlighted the importance of support and exchange between all workers along the Inditex supply chain – production, warehousing/logistics and retail. The parties pledged to coordinate and to keep communication open.