Schijvens is assessed annually by the Fair Wear Foundation on its performance with regard to the social working conditions in the clothing factories with which Schijvens cooperates.
This year Schijvens has again achieved a score of 86 points, we are very proud of this! With this we maintain our status as leader, the highest attainable category within Fair Wear Foundation. 100% of the factories where Schijvens produces are under supervision of this independent organization.
The fact that we achieved a score of 86 points for the second year in a row does not mean that we have not implemented any improvements. FWF indicates that we have made great progress. However, the score becomes somewhat stricter. We achieved this status, among other things, through our commitment to the implementation of living wages in both Turkey and Pakistan. And also by our stable and small group of suppliers, all of whose production locations have been audited and we are constantly working on improving working conditions.
In 2017 we completed our first project in our own factory in Turkey. Since then, all employees there receive a living wage. This wage is reviewed annually. At the start of 2019, wages in the factory were again increased in proportion to statutory wage increases. Last year we completed our living wage project in Pakistan, in collaboration with Zeeman. This enabled us to ensure that the entire factory was converted into a living wage. In both Turkey and Pakistan, we have also involved the factory workers in this process and in determining the level of the living wage. It was then calculated how much the wage must go up, so that a living wage is included. Unfortunately, in the clothing industry it is still common that only a minimum wage is paid, which is not enough to live on in most production countries. We are happy that we have taken these steps, and will of course continue to roll this out to our other factories.
All points for attention and developments are openly discussed with all suppliers each year during our annual supplier meeting, which took place at our office in the Netherlands last year. This way everyone can learn from each other, and it is good to see that this is well received every year. Last year we brought suppliers and customers together during a “Meet & Greet”, which was also a great success!
This year we will focus on rolling out the living wage project to a new factory, reducing overtime and training management and employees in the factories.
View the full brand performance check here.
