We have 15 places available to LUPC full members on a first-come, first-served basis for this online workshop on Threadbare ethics? Labour abuses in the textiles sector.

This is the fifth session of Electronics Watch’s 2025 Knowledge Building Series for public buyers. It is part of an Innovation Pilot to strengthen and expand Electronics Watch’s impact model via webinars and online workshops that will help you understand risks in your supply chains.

Why the textiles sector?
Public bodies buy vast quantities of uniforms, bedding, and towels for government agencies, military, hospitals, and other public services around the world. The global textile industry is a massive market, valued at approximately $1 trillion, with projections to reach $1.5 trillion by 2027. It employs approximately 60 million workers (excluding those working in the fashion industry).

Labour exploitation in the textile industry is rife. Most production takes place in Asia, but is also significant in Africa, Asia, Central and Latin America and Europe. It is a fiercely competitive market where labour costs are squeezed in a race to the bottom on prices, with high demand for increased choice, quality and production speed. The industry is characterised by low wages, health and safety hazards and poor working conditions, especially in the case of mass-produced standard textiles (e.g. PPE, bedsheets, towels, aprons).

What you will learn
Expert panellists will address:

• Supplier sourcing strategies and due diligence practices for public procurement
• Public buyer action to prevent exploitation in their supply chains, including criteria and contract clauses
• Labour rights risks facing textile workers in key sourcing countries, with an example from Pakistan
• Civil society advocacy campaigns directed at businesses supplying to the public sector and their demands

The webinar will be interactive, combining insights from panellists with discussions among participants.

Joining information
We will send an Electronics Watch registration link to all who have booked to attend by 19 September, enabling access to the zoom joining details. Please ensure you complete the registration link before the day of the webinar itself to avoid any issues with receiving the joining instructions.

Please contact Suzanne Picken for any queries.   

Please note that Electronics Watch will share attendance of LUPC members at the webinar with us for event reporting purposes.