Global Supply Chain New reports shine spotlight on underlying causes of terrible working conditions in global supply chains
September 4, 2019 Garrett Brown

This year has seen the usual flood of reports documenting unsafe, unhealthy and illegal conditions in global supply chains, but there is a growing body of research that highlight the underlying root cause of these conditions: the business model and sourcing practices of the international “brands” that sell us our clothing, electronics, sports shoes and so much more.

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Global Supply Chain Latest data on working conditions in global supply chains, July 2019 edition
August 3, 2019 Garrett Brown

The latest resource list on articles and reports describing unsafe and illegal working conditions in global supply chains producing consumer goods for the world economy. There are the usual tales of exploitation and woe, but also growing campaigns to recognize and end sexual harassment of women workers, and recognition that it is precisely the sourcing practices of the international “brands” that lead to abusive conditions in global supply chains.

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Cal/OSHA Cal/OSHA’s disappearing field inspector positions: What the California Legislature gives, the Brown Administration takes away
March 29, 2018 Garrett Brown 1Comment

Under orders from Governor Jerry Brown’s Department of Finance, Cal/OSHA has begun cutting field enforcement inspector positions, reversing years of public and legislative efforts to bring California’s workplace safety agency up to the level of personnel and resources enjoyed by Federal and neighboring states’ OSHA agencies. 

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Child Labor Latest data on working conditions in global supply chains, September 2017 edition
September 21, 2017 Garrett Brown 3Comment

Public interest continues to grow for accurate information on the working conditions faced by the 450 million workers in global supply chains. The last quarter’s reports, through September 2017, include information on workplace health and safety, discrimination and sexual harassment of women workers, and corporate non-compliance with even basic labor laws in the electronics, apparel, and food industries.

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Cal/OSHA Cal/OSHA’s disappearing funds – where’s the money?  
September 14, 2017 Garrett Brown 2Comment

In the last two years, the California Legislature has provided the Department of Industrial Relations with significantly increased financial resources to enhance the effectiveness of Cal/OSHA and better protect the 19 million workers in the state. DIR has failed to take full advantage of these resources to strengthen Cal/OSHA while at the same time it has provided refunds to employers who have paid the fees that generate these unused resources. The net effect is a Cal/OSHA that is weaker and less effective than it could be if all available resources were put to work. The people who pay the cost of these resources “left on the table” are the workers of California and their families and communities.

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Global Supply Chain Bangladesh Accord extended three years – worker protections strengthened, proponents promote an “alternative to standard CSR programs”
July 18, 2017 Garrett Brown

Two global unions, four labor rights organizations and 23 apparel brands and retailers agreed in late June to extend the ground-breaking Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety that has led to safer working conditions for 4 million garment workers. The legally-binding agreement came about following the 2013 Rana Plaza building collapse that killed 1,138 workers in Dhaka.

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