Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

published 17-01-2013 13:40, last modified 29-04-2013 10:14
What does the CCC do? Where can I buy clean clothes? What should a company do? Please find the most commonly asked questions here.

What does the CCC do?

What does the CCC do?
25-04-2013 11:29

We work by putting pressure on companies, provide support in urgent cases of violations, raise the public awareness and explore legal options for improving working conditions.

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How is the Clean Clothes Campaign structured?

How is the Clean Clothes Campaign structured?
22-05-2013 23:26

The CCC is a Europe-based alliance of autonomous national coalitions with an international secretariat in Amsterdam. Each national coalition includes NGOs and trade unions and sends a representative to the European Coordination Meeting three times a year.

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Why do you focus on clothing and sportswear?

Why do you focus on clothing and sportswear?
25-04-2013 14:30

By focusing on garments and sportswear, we can better understand the fundamental problems in the industry, offer recommendations on how to solve them, and make a direct connection with consumers about the clothes they wear.

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Has the CCC been successful in helping to improve working conditions?

Has the CCC been successful in helping to improve working conditions?
25-04-2013 14:31

Yes. Each year, the CCC receives dozens of requests from partner organisations and workers seeking solidarity support in cases of labour and human rights violations. Many of these are won, by the combined efforts of the workers, the CCC and others, and you!

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Where can I buy 'clean' clothes?

Where can I buy 'clean' clothes?
09-05-2013 23:39

We know that you would like a list of 'good' brands, so you know where to shop (and where to stop!). The answer is unfortunately not as clear as a 'good' and a 'bad' list...

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How much of the money I spend trickles down to workers? Won't 'clean clothes' be expensive?

How much of the money I spend trickles down to workers? Won't 'clean clothes' be expensive?
22-05-2013 23:29

In an estimate of a €100 pair of shoes made in Indonesia, just €0.50 (that's 0.5% of the total retail cost) goes to production workers’ wages.

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Workers' wages seem low, but isn't that because the cost of living is so much cheaper in garment-producing countries?

Workers' wages seem low, but isn't that because the cost of living is so much cheaper in garment-producing countries?
23-06-2015 08:46

The cost of living in garment-producing countries is indeed cheaper than in the global north, but garment workers are still not paid a wage that covers their basic needs, such as food, shelter, clothing and education.

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Do you support boycotts of factories?

Do you support boycotts of factories?
25-04-2013 14:33

In one word: No. There are some exceptions, but in general we want a long-term solution to the problem, which will improve the lives of the workers.

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Where can I find information on specific companies and their labour practices?

 Where can I find information on specific companies and their labour practices?
01-02-2017 11:04

There are a number of resources to help you find information on brands.

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Some companies claim to check their suppliers regularly to make sure working conditions are OK. Are they telling the truth?

Some companies claim to check their suppliers regularly to make sure working conditions are OK. Are they telling the truth?
22-05-2013 23:35

There are a lot of so-called monitoring programs around, but unless the workers are actively involved this can be just window-dressing.

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What responsibility should a company have for workers it doesn't employ?

What responsibility should a company have for workers it doesn't employ?
22-05-2013 23:38

In today’s global economy, the clothes we wear will have been produced by workers across an ocean and passed from one business to another before being sold for a tidy profit by a retailer whose name we all know. The Clean Clothes Campaign believes a company's responsibility encompasses its complete supply chain all the way down to home-based workers.

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Shouldn't governments be responsible for regulating working conditions?

Shouldn't governments be responsible for regulating working conditions?
25-04-2013 14:40

In principle, yes. But in practice this approach would not be enough: governments in many cases are weak, and even if they want to, they are dependant on economic constraints.

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What should a company do when human or labour rights violations are discovered in its supply chain?

What should a company do when human or labour rights violations are discovered in its supply chain?
25-04-2013 14:44

In short: it should engage, not run away from its responsability.

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What is a code of conduct and why does it matter?

What is a code of conduct and why does it matter?
25-04-2013 14:49

Successful campaigning by the Clean Clothes Campaign and other labour rights’ organisations has led many businesses to adopt “codes of conduct,” a list of standards that companies expect from suppliers. Company codes vary by content as well as commitment. The CCC pushes companies to give these codes real meaning by including provisions for implementation, monitoring and verification, and dispute resolution.

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What are ILO conventions and core labour standards?

What are ILO conventions and core labour standards?
25-04-2013 14:58

A part of the United Nations, the ILO has set minimum standards that should be a right for every worker, all over the world.

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