Female garment worker

Ethical Manufacturing: Preventing Forced Labor Within the Supply Chain

Forced labor is a major concern within the global supply chain. Verité, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to fair working conditions, finds that around 27.6 million people worldwide are ensnared in unethical and illegal employment situations. The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines forced labor as “all work or service which is exacted from any person under the […]

World Day Against Child Labor: The People Behind the Numbers

Child labor, just like slavery, hasn’t disappeared but evolved to operate under the radar in a modern world. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), around 50 million people worldwide are ensnared in modern-day slavery as of 2021, and around 138 million children are forced into child labor as of 2024. June 12 is World Day Against Child Labor, shedding light on the people behind the numbers.  Around a quarter of those imprisoned in […]

“I Didn’t Know it was Wrong” — Why Ending Workplace Harassment is a Fundamental and Uncompromising Priority

Every individual working in an industrial setting—regardless of gender, role, position, or rank—deserves to be treated with respect and protected from harassment and abuse. Dignity is a universal right. November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, serves as a global reminder that safety in the workplace is non-negotiable. At Worldwide […]

AAFA and WRAP Release Updated Guidance on Eradicating Forced Labor

AAFA and WRAP have released updated guidance to provide AAFA members with best practices and resources to clarify: 1.) What forced labor is, along with the laws and policies of the United States and other countries regarding forced labor;2.) Where forced labor can enter the supply chain;3.) How to supplement existing codes of conduct or, […]

Unravelling Forced Labor: The Hidden Threads in the Global Supply Chain

Forced labor is a global issue affecting an estimated 50 million people currently living in modern slavery. It occurs when individuals are compelled to work against their will through force, fraud, or coercion. The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines forced labor as “all involuntary work or service exacted under the menace of a penalty and […]

Trading schoolbooks for sewing machines: Why Ending Child Labor Is Non-Negotiable

Every child deserves a childhood. Yet across the world, far too many are forced to trade schoolbooks for sewing machines and playgrounds for production floors. As we observe World Day Against Child Labor on June 12, it’s a powerful reminder of why Principle 3: Prohibition of Child Labor stands as a cornerstone of Worldwide Responsible […]

AAFA-WRAP guidance for understanding and eradicating forced labor

AAFA, in cooperation with its Official Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Partner, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), published this member-only guidance reviewing best practices, resources, and insights clarifying: What forced labor is, along with the laws and policies of the United States and other countries regarding forced labor; How to comply with these requirements; Where forced […]

Updated WRAP statement regarding alleged forced labor at Hetian Taida

Arlington, VA – Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) is the leading facility-based certification organization for sewn products. WRAP is a not-for-profit that has focused for the past 19 years on verifying and improving labor conditions in factories around the world. One of WRAP’s core principles is that forced labor of any kind has no place […]

WRAP statement regarding alleged forced labor at Hetian Taida

Arlington, V.A. – Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) is the leading facility-based certification organization for sewn products. WRAP is a not-for-profit that has focused for the past 18 years on verifying and improving labor conditions in factories around the world. One of WRAP’s core principles is that forced labor of any kind has no place […]