Business

HUGO BOSS and its “Tamil Nadu” Initiative

HUGO BOSS expands its external collaboration and signs a new initiative in order to improve social conditions in Southern India

September 04th, 2018
Maria Mochalova, News from Berlin
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In a partnership with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and several other private sector companies, HUGO BOSS participates in the “Tamil Nadu” initiative through the membership in the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles. The initiative has officially began in July 2018 and is expected to run until 2020.

HUGO BOSS represents one of the primary premium global apparel market brands, with its headquarters in Metzingen, The company employs more than 14.000 people and has locations in 127 countries and continually stresses importance of the preserving natural resources, fostering a fair and responsible culture, expanding diversity across the board and achieving joint responsibility with their partners.

It has a long history of sustainability projects, including the Cottonforlife initiative of Filmar S.p.A, membership in the FTSE4Good Index and in the Fair Labor Association, RobecoSAM’s Sustainability Award Industry Mover and Silver Class winner. The most recent project HUGO BOSS joined is the so-called “Tamil Nadu” initiative in accordance with the Sustainable Development goals of the United Nations.

The main goal of the following initiative is to change persistent inequalities, unsatisfactory conditions and exploitation that persists in the Southern Indian state Tamil Nadu, specifically in the apparel and textiles sector. Tamil Nadu historically plays a major role in the export of the textiles into the global market, but largely fails in the accomplishment and recognition of human rights.

Nowadays, women compose over 80% of the workers in Tamil Nadu and are permanently depreciated and sexually harassed not only at their working places, but also in their private accommodations provided by their employer. Without having any power or hope, young Indian women tend to have high levels of suicide rates as well.

The “Tamil Nadu” initiative supported by HUGO BOSS includes raising awareness and factory trainings, where one of the main goals is the education of the employees about their rights and establishment of the complaints committees. In addition, HUGO BOSS helps in the realization of goals at the local level and includes financial support and various experts in order to achieve an efficient cooperation.

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News from Berlin