The Tribunal held four public hearings in Sri Lanka (2011), Cambodia (2012), India (2012) and Indonesia (2014), followed by a final session in Sri Lanka (2015). This session was requested by the Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA), a network of Asian organisations campaigning for women’s rights in the garment industry and the recognition of a living wage as a fundamental human right. The session aimed to document and assess the nature and extent of exploitation and human rights violations against women workers in the textile sector in Asia, explore the violation of national and international laws by various stakeholders (governments, multinational corporations, domestic suppliers and international agencies) responsible for ensuring respect for human rights within the textile industry supply chain, and formulate recommendations to address the climate of impunity and prevent further labour exploitation.
The Tribunal concluded that the working conditions of women in the garment sector in Sri Lanka, Cambodia, India and Indonesia exhibit serious deficiencies amounting to a systematic violation of their fundamental right to a dignified life.
Requesting organisations: The Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA), comprising up to 71 organisations, is a network spanning 17 countries in Asia, Europe and North America. It represents the apparel industry, trade unions, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), consumer groups and research institutions.
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Documentation:
- Session in Sri Lanka (Colombo, 27-30 March 2011)
- Session in Cambodia (Phnom Pehn, 5-8 February 2012)
- Session in India (Bengaluru, 22-25 November 2012)
- Session in Indonesia (Jakarta, 21-24 June 2014)
- Final Session in Sri Lanka (Colombo, 17-20 December 2015)