Ending Child and Forced Labour in Apparel Supply Chains in India

The GoodWeave standard forms a unique entry point into the informal supply chains for reducing child labour

the GoodWeave standard was piloted but not rolled out

it allowed the initiative to hold a unique focus on the informal supply chain with the potential to address working conditions and mitigate child labour practices 

3,500 vulnerable children were identified in the five communities, sixteen child labourers were found through mapping and five were found through inspection

Performance against intended outcomes (actual reduction in incidence in child labour and improving working conditions) was mixed

the pilot sufficiently achieved outreach targets related to brands, suppliers, communities and homebased workers

the adapted Child Friendly Community Model increased access to education for at-risk children and reported improved learning levels 

evidence is unclear on whether increase in school participation led to reduction in child labour 

the one time training related to working conditions to homeworkers was insufficient

Market interest was demonstrated by sufficient engagement of both brands and suppliers

the brands acknowledged presence of home based workers in their supply chains and indicated interest in addressing their issues

brands were unable to incentivize the suppliers through work orders and this resulted in uneven participation of suppliers 

communication by GoodWeave with brands on non-compliance can be improved 

trust was built with suppliers, contractors and participating suppliers, who were appreciative of the pilot

Emergence of youth facilitators, especially young women, as ‘role models’ was an unintended outcome

the initiative created social capital within the communities, namely Youth Facilitators;

Facilitators supported non-formal learning activities through Motivational Learning Centres addressing children with weaker learning abilities and tracking school performance through home visits