Country Strategic Plan India 2011 - Fair Wear Foundation

Fair Wear Foundation
Audit training and audits
India has one of the most experienced FWF audit teams. Difference in languages and
regulations in different states can be a challenge to social audits. There are eighteen
recognised official languages, thought the principal official languages are Hindi and
English. Most documents are written in English while workers usually speak only the
local languages. FWF plans to organise an auditors training in North India (Hindi
speaking area) to expend the capacity of the audit team.
FWF will conduct 7 verification audits in India. Five of these will be done in the whole
production chain of a fair trade certified garment in Tirupur. This is part of a pilot project
of FWF and Fairtrade Labelling Organizations to explore how verification approach can
be applied further in the supply chain and how it contributes to improving working
condition. The project is expected to contribute to solving the problem of forced labour in
the area, as most cases happened in knitting mills which are seldom covered by social
audits.
Number of audits on behalf of affiliates is dependent on the companies themselves. This
number will be available once the affiliates confirmed with FWF.
Deliverables 2011
o Auditors training in North India
o Seven audits will be carried out in India
Stakeholder consultation and engagement
Engagement with local stakeholders is an essential part of FWF’s strategy. It will
maintain cooperation with stakeholders and include their perspectives in updating the
country study. Some stakeholders will continue to participate in audits and complaints
handling.
FWF will focus our work in South India on forced labour. Local and European
stakeholders will be consulted on updates on the issue. Information and suggested
strategies will be communicated to member companies who source from high risk areas.
Deliverables 2011
o Stakeholders consultation results will be available at the website of FWF
Complaints procedure
There are currently three FWF complaints handlers based in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and
North India respectively. Complaints handlers are able to communicate in Karnataka,
Tamil and Hindi.
FWF has not received many complaints in India in 2010. One of the basic requirements
for an effective complaints system is an accessible and trustable complaints handler. To
strengthen the complaints handling system and encourage workers to report on forced
labour, FWF will recruit an extra complaints handler in Tirupur working with a local
NGO-Social Awareness and Voluntary Education (SAVE). Addresses and names of the
suppliers will be accessible to the complaints handler on a confidential basis. Logos of
FWF members will be made available to all complaints handlers and local key
stakeholders.
Deliverables 2011
Country plan 2011 - India 2 / 3