Speech

Question 1

When was Fashion Revolution founded?

Answer 1

Fashion Revolution was founded after the Rana Plaza disaster in 2013 to promote a fashion industry that preserves the environment and values people over
profit

Question 2

How did Fashion Revolution get involved in cross-continental cooperation?

Answer 2

Fashion Revolution has engaged in cross-continental cooperation to promote fair working conditions, transparency in the fashion industry and environmental sustainability. It achieves these goals through technical support, lobbying and advocacy.

Question 3

How does Fashion Revolution describe its mission?

Answer 3

Fashion Revolution aims to bring about a fundamental shift in the fashion industry through a combination of cultural change
(raise awareness and advocacy), industry change (technical evaluation of the fashion industry’s impact on people and the environment) and policy change (agenda setting)

Question 4

How is Fashion Revolution structured?

Answer 4

Fashion Revolution consists of two distinct entities: Fashion Revolution CIC and the Fashion Revolution Foundation. Together, these organisations oversee the national Country Offices and the Country Coordination volunteer teams.

Question 5

What is the role of the Fashion Revolution Foundation?

Answer 5

The Fashion Revolution Foundation promotes education, research and awareness-raising.

Question 6

What is the role of Fashion Revolution CIC?

Answer 6

Fashion Revolution CIC prioritises transparency and responsibility on the global government agenda. The group also manages Fashion Revolution on a global scale

Question 7

What is the role of the Fashion Revolution Country Offices?

Answer 7

The Fashion Revolution Country Offices are non-profit organisations that assist in developing the global strategy, as well as pursuing their own regional strategies

Question 8

What is the role of the Fashion Revolution Country Teams?

Answer 8

The Fashion Revolution Country Teams are composed of volunteers who provide individuals with the chance to participate in the Fashion Revolution movement.

Question 9

What is the role of the Fashion Revolution Country Coordinators (CCs)?

Answer 9

The Fashion Revolution Country Coordinators (CCs) are the elected leaders of their respective country teams. They oversee the distribution of campaign materials for Fashion Revolution and work to coordinate and mobilise stakeholders within their country to participate in the movement

Question 10

What is Fashion Revolution’s position on boycotting?

Answer 10

Fashion Revolution usually does not promote boycotting because it may potentially cause more harm than good, as in many countries the garment industry is one of the few means for women to achieve financial independence.

Question 11

Did Fashion Revolution induce any policy change?

Answer 11

Fashion Revolution endorsed the renewed International Accord on Health and Safety to protect garment workers and the EU strategy for sustainable textiles. They also support the European Citizens Initiative on due diligence to ensure fair wages across the fashion supply chain

Question 12

Did Fashion Revolution induce any industry change?

Answer 12

Fashion Revolution created the “Fashion Transparency
Framework” to encourage fashion brands to be more transparent. Additionally, through the Fashion Open Studio Initiative, Fashion Revolution has showcased international creatives who championed a fairer fashion industry to a top fashion industry audience. Finally, their Small but Perfectly Formed program supports small and medium enterprises in Europe to accelerate circular fashion solutions.

Question 13

What is Fashion Revolution impact on cultural change?

Answer 13

Fashion Revolution creates resources and events to inspire and engage citizens. With over 860,000 followers on social media, its reach is extensive.

Question 14

What is Mondiaal FNV?

Answer 14

Mondiaal FNV is the program created in 1975 by FNV, the largest Dutch trade unions federation, to support trade unions worldwide

Question 15

How did Mondiaal FNV get involved in cross-continental development cooperation/how do they describe their mission:

Answer 15

To ensure equitable work conditions, it is
imperative that unions have the ability to engage in unrestricted negotiations with employers. This is why they advocate for the support of workers, their unions, and other organisations that fight for workers’ rights in over 100 countries across the globe. FNV’s outreach spans more than 20 million individuals through its work in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Question 16

How does Mondiaal FNV support trade unions worldwide?

Answer 16

FNV supports trade unions in developing skills, becoming strong social partners, creating fair jobs, and defending workers’ rights, both in the formal and informal sectors, with a particular focus on gender equality and the fight against child labour. FNV provides workers with financial assistance and expertise and promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing

Question 17

How is Mondiaal FNV structured?

Answer 17

Every year, Mondiaal FNV provides support for approximately 150 to 200 projects. The majority of the funding for this support comes from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
through the Trade Union Co-Financing Programme and the Stitch Strategic Partnership (Sustainable Textile Initiative: Together for Change).

Question 18

What is the Trade Union Co-Financing Programme?

Answer 18

The Trade Union Co-Financing Programme supports trade union partners in low- and middle-income countries. The programme is built around 3 principles: social dialogue, value chains and gender. It focuses on 5 sectors: construction, flowers, fruits and vegetables, palm oil and seeds. It employs 5 different strategies: forging alliances, strengthening capacity, lobbying, doing research and gender mainstreaming

Question 19

What is the Stitch Strategic Partnership?

Answer 19

The Stitch Strategic Partnership (Sustainable Textile Initiative: Together for Change) is a consortium composed of the Fair Wear Foundation, Mondiaal FNV (NL), CNV International (NL), Ethical Trading Initiative (GB), the Centre for Development and Integration (CDI) in Vietnam. It is Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs for 5 years (start 2021).

Question 20

How does Mondiaal FNV finance its projects?

Answer 20

The financing of projects is made possible through the FNV Solidarity Fund, which receives 0.7% of the contributions made by FNV members. Furthermore, Global FNV also receives funding from both members and non-members, as well as contributions from collective bargaining agreements. All of these various sources of funding are pooled together to form the Global FNV Fund

Question 21

What kind of results did Mondiaal FNV achieve in Peru in 2020?

Answer 21

FNV Mondiaal supported Convention 189, a law on domestic workers that came into effect in Peru in 2020. The law provisions for a minimum salary, access to health care and pensions and a maximum working day of 8 hours. Discrimination and sexual harassment are also prohibited. Furthermore, FNV Mondiaal supported the birth of the Peruvian Labour Foundation

Question 22

What kind of results did Mondiaal FNV achieve in India in 2021?

Answer 22

Thanks to APVVU, a partner of Mondiaal FNV, the farmers in India received compensation as was provided by the agreement with TATA, the company which sold
them the seeds.

Question 23

What kind of results did Mondiaal FNV achieve in Bangladesh in 2021?

Answer 23

FNV Mondiaal lobbied with the NGO Bangladesh Labour Foundation to make the elimination of child labour in the district of Keraniganj a governmental priority

Question 24

What kind of results did Mondiaal FNV achieve in Tanzania in 2021?

Answer 24

TUICO, the Tanzanian Trade Union for Industrial and Commercial Workers, was provided with a digital information system that accelerates bureaucratic procedures and frees up time for other projects

Question 25

What kind of results did Mondiaal FNV achieve in Indonesia and India in 2021?

Answer 25

FNV partners successfully prevented controversial legislation in Indonesia and India. The Indonesian government was required to modify the Omnibus law to promote fair working conditions and environmental protection, while in India, three controversial agricultural laws were abolished

Question 26

Payers vs. Players

Answer 26

https://imgur.com/a/ZidLVDK

Question 27

What are the links between the two organisations?

Answer 27

Fashion Revolution and Mondiaal FNV are both engaged in the campaign for fair wages and working conditions in the fashion industry. One of the main areas of intervention for Mondiaal FNV is fair production chains and it is also a leader of the Stitch Strategic Partnership. Additionally, Mondiaal FNV has developed an online information campaign for fair fashion. Mondiaal FNV, along with Fashion Revolution and more than 284 trade unions and labour rights organisations, are part of the Payyourworkers coalition.

Question 28

What are the weaknesses of Fashion Revolution?

Answer 28

Fashion Revolution, as its name suggests, engages in development cooperation in the fashion industry. However, it places a greater emphasis on consumers than on producers and workers, as evidenced by the extensive information and awareness campaigns it undertakes. This is because Fashion Revolution does not have the same strength or network as a trade union like FNV, and its position is non-negotiable against exploitative firms, leaving no room for compromise.
○ While it may appear to be a benefit, a company’s unwillingness to compromise on its ideals can also limit the potential for significant incremental improvements on the path to a fashion revolution.

Question 29

What are the weaknesses of Mondiaal FNV?

Answer 29

On the other hand, Mondiaal FNV may have limitations on its actions or information disclosure when a multinational corporation fails to comply with fair wage and working condition standards in developing countries but operates fairly in developed ones. In this scenario, workers in developed countries could be negatively affected by such behaviour and would take measures to prevent it from happening. Due to
their greater resources and direct influence on the funds and health of the trade union’s headquarters, wealthier employees are typically successful in such disputes.