The various phases of leather goods production, from animal husbandry to slaughter; from the tanning of raw hides to the finishing of leather; from the cutting of leather components to the production of a wide variety of leather end-goods such as jackets, trousers, shoes, gloves, bags, trunks; involves the work of millions of workers worldwide. Like the global garment industry, leather goods also form part of a highly globalized industry with cattle-rearing, tanning, cutting, stitching, and so on happening largely in developing nations of South Asia for brands and consumers in Europe. This industry was one among those that suffered severe blows after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
Under the Together for Decent Leather program; Cividep India in collaboration with SOMO, BLF, and NOW Communities published Corona Chronicles, a short paper shredding to light the consequences of the crisis on leather workers in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. It consists of six in-depth stories gathered from detailed interviews conducted in these countries in the aftermath of the pandemic. It also includes a set of recommendations to governments and businesses, to ensure better protection of workers’ rights.
Read the full paper here.