- Christina Dymiotis
- 19th April 2021
BIDBI is participating in this year’s Fashion Revolution week by answering the question #WhoMadeMyBag
What is Fashion Revolution Week?
Fashion Revolution Week (Monday 19th – Sunday 25th April 2021); a global event that marks the anniversary of the Rana Plaza factory disaster in Bangladesh, in 2013 where 1138 people died and thousands more were injured. This tragic event led to the creation of the global movement Fashion Revolution by Orsola de Castro and Carry Somers. The non-profit organisation fights for a more transparent, ethical and sustainable fashion industry and encourages people around the world to ask brands #WhoMadeMyClothes.
Nowadays, a Fashion Revolution has never been more necessary, as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced big global fashion brands to cancel orders, leaving their supply chain workers unpaid, unsafe, suffering in poverty. Until this day, many people who are working in the fashion industry, work in inhumane working conditions and undergo oppression and harassment. Likewise, this year, Fashion Revolution is demanding the fashion industry to put an end to human exploitation and to start treating their workers with respect and care.
BIDBI & Fashion Revolution Week
The team at BIDBI is proud to be able to participate in Fashion Revolution Week alongside the many other brands that are fully transparent about their supply chain. Therefore, we are happy to answer our customer’s question #WhoMadeMyBag?
Here at BIDBI we have established Environmental and Ethical Sourcing Policies to verify that the people who make our products are provided with support and prosperity. We work collaboratively with our factory in India and all our suppliers who demonstrate ethical principles in the way they conduct their business. We treat every individual involved in our operation with respect, which will never be compromised and our integrity as an ethical supplier is based on this.
At BIDBI We Agree To
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Condemn illegal child labour, forced labour and discrimination.
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BIDBI do not engage with any supplier/ factory or business that engages in such discriminatory practices.
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Take interest and provide support for our employees with regards to their health and wellbeing. Improve employment conditions and compensate our employees appropriately.
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Provide a safe and healthy working environment for our employees.
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Respect employees’ human rights and personal rights.
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Encourage a sense of social responsibility amongst managers and employees alike.
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Comply with all applicable UK and international laws and regulations relevant to our activities. Continually improve our social management systems and ensure a review of this policy every 12 months.
#IMadeYourBag
All our bags are produced in our partner factory in India who are members of SEDEX (Supplier Data Ethical Exchange). SEDEX, is a web-based database that enables suppliers to share information about labour standards at their factories and assists the continuous improvement of the ethical performance of supply chains.
Furthermore, a set of audits take place at this factory to ensure that the appropriate high standards of safety, environmental responsibility and human rights are maintained. Moreover, our Ethics and Social Compliance makes sure that every worker in the factory is paid a living wage, enjoys good working conditions and is free from any type of harassment.
Our factories, both in the UK and India are also registered with Fairtrade, which enables BIDBI to produce Fairtrade certified cotton products. Hence, all of our bags carry the Fairtrade Cotton mark, which indicates that the bags you purchase have come from a supply chain which and meets the Fairtrade Standard for cotton and puts its workers first.
As you can see from the images, the factory facilities are safe and clean and are incorporated with welfare facilities such as toilets, lunchrooms, etc. and the appropriate amount of ventilation, space, and lighting.
Picture of our workers enjoying some relaxing Yoga classes (Pre-COVID-19)
Quote from our Managing Director, “We maintain complete supply chain transparency and will never compromise on key facets of our operation because we work hard to uphold our integrity and reputation as an ethical and fair trade supplier of cotton bags and associated products.”
Pictures of our production team at our Factory in Sheffield.
Conclusion
As conscious consumers, it is vital to vocalize our objections to make a positive difference for the people making our clothes and goods. You know Who Made your BIDBI bag, but do you know who made the rest of your clothes and accessories? Ask brands #WhoMadeMyClothes?
How to get involved in Fashion Revolution Week
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Send an email to your favorite fashion brand / retailer to ask #WhoMadeMyClothes and what they are doing to ensure workers throughout their supply chain are compensated during the Covid-19 crisis. The more we ask, challenge, and raise expectations of global brands, the faster they will have to change.
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Get social: Use your voice on Twitter and Instagram to ask brands #WhoMadeMyClothes.
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Sign the manifesto for a Fashion Revolution.
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Attend an online Fashion Revolution event : There are many, many digital events happening this FRW such as panel talks, open studios, workshops e.t.c focused on ethical fashion. For more information check the Fashion Revolution calendar.
Have a great Fashion Revolution Week!
Sources:
https://www.fashionrevolution.org/
BIDBI – Eco Pack
