Impact Partner Insights – Better Wage Systems – Global Fashion Agenda

A core focus of Global Fashion Agenda’s mission is the establishment of better wage systems—ensuring that the necessary frameworks are in place for manufacturing partners to provide all workers with fair compensation and living wages, supported by responsible purchasing practices and the right to freedom of association.

We are delighted to collaborate with the Fair Labor Association (FLA) to share expert insights on this priority. We spoke with Tiffany Rogers, Director of Innovation and Development, Manufacturing at FLA, to learn more about their recent work.

How is your organisation fostering a net positive industry and creating impact through its partnership with Global Fashion Agenda?

Global Fashion Agenda’s impact partnership is a dynamic model that helps us coordinate across subject matter expertise in labour and environment and hold the industry accountable to progress. The Fair Labor Association (FLA) is proud to contribute our living wage expertise and tools to the fashion industry to improve workers’ wages. Our partnership has resulted in increased support in ensuring living wages are on the social and climate agendas across the fashion industry.

What does your latest research tell us about the current state of ‘Better Wage Systems’ in the industry?

FLA’s wage trends reports and living wage projects show that wage progress is possible when national wage-setting mechanisms and global brands’ purchasing practices support workers’ rights to fair compensation. For example, in our living wage project in Vietnam with GIZ’s Initiative for Global Solidarity, we found factories were committed to steadily increasing wages for workers to meet minimum wage increases and a competitive labour market. With the ILO wage conclusions, the concept of living wage is gaining momentum and is being adopted across businesses, national stakeholders, and unions and civil society. 

What does an ideal future for the industry look like in your impact area, and how will you support this vision?

Better wages for workers are absolutely necessary for a sustainable and liveable planet – workers need a safety net today to navigate the tumultuous changes occurring in industry, technology, and climate. Currently, the fashion industry does business to the detriment of people and planet, and that must be rectified. At FLA, we will continue to push for innovative solutions and tools to improve wages, including collaboration with civil society and worker organisations.

For the latest insights on Better Wage Systems download The GFA Monitor 2024 here.