Cividep India worked with with Homeworkers Worldwide (HWW), the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) UK, two UK based footwear brands, and the Dalit Solidarity Network on a collaborative due diligence process in leather footwear manufacturing in Tamil Nadu.
This research focused on workers’ issues and the violation of their rights at work in the leather industry in the region. These included:
- Barriers to Freedom of Association and anti-union attitudes
- Health & safety hazards (strain injuries, exposure to solvent fumes, etc)
- Low wages, especially for homeworkers and workers employed on a casual basis
- Excessive, often involuntary overtime work
- Potential barriers to employment and promotion to supervisory grades facing Dalit and Muslim women
- Irregular employment of factory workers employed on a daily/contract or piece-rate basis, and of homeworkers employed to carry out hand-stitching through informal sub-contract chains
The report includes key recommendations on how to address these issues for key stakeholders, including governments, brands, and suppliers.