Here is a great list from the Ethical Fashion Forum that can help you initiate a conversation with your supplier to ensure they are fostering a healthy and supportive work environment.
- How long have you been in business?
- Who owns the business?
- What are your aims for the business?
- How many workers do you have?
- Are they local or migrants – where do they live?
- Do you have a documented strategy or policies for managing working conditions and ensuring you keep up to date with labour legislation?
- What’s your worker turnover? Why do workers stay or leave?
- Are you engaged in any local/national/international schemes, initiatives or other projects related to working conditions?
- Is there a union in the factory?
- How are wages decided upon or agreed? (Hint, they should ideally be agreed in negotiation with workers)
- What’s your biggest challenge with regard to your workers?
- How might we as buyers help to ensure that workers can work within the working hour limits required by law?