Covid-19 & Global Supply Chains
The fashion industry has historically been exposed to modern slavery issues which pre-date the COVID-19 pandemic. So how were the industry and its workers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?
Use the resources below to find out. We also explain the opportunities to promote ethical work practices and supply chain resilience.
Resources to download or stream
Infographics
What impact has the COVID-19 pandemic had on human rights within the garment industry in India?
Impact of COVID-19 on Management to eradicate modern slavery from global supply chains: A case study of Indian fashion chains
Visual Summary of the impact of Covid-19 on unethical practices in global supply chains
Visual Summary of the impact of Covid-19 on unethical practices in global supply chains
Podcasts
What impact has the COVID-19 pandemic had on human rights within the garment industry in India?
Dr Matthew Davis, Leeds University Business School, and Rishi Sher Singh, Business and Human Rights specialist, talk about the effect COVID-19 has had on the garment industry in India and the vulnerability and impact on human rights within the sector. Listen to the episode: What impact has the COVID-19 pandemic had on human rights within the garment industry in India?
How COVID-19 has increased the complexity of the fashion industry and its supply chains
The fashion industry and its global supply chains are complex. The COVID-19 pandemic has added to this complexity, leaving managers making decisions quickly and with little knowledge of both the short and long-term fallout from the virus. In this episode, Dr Matthew Davis, Dr Mark Sumner and Fergus Dowling discuss how this pandemic compares to other crises that have hit the fashion industry, and what it means for their supply chains. Listen to the episode: How COVID-19 has increased the complexity of the fashion industry and its supply chains
Responding to the impact of COVID-19 on the textiles industry with communication and collaboration
Fergus Dowling and Solène Bryson discuss how the pandemic has impacted the global clothing and textiles industry, and supply chain management of modern slavery. Listen to the episode: Responding to the impact of COVID-19 on the textiles industry with communication and collaboration
Blog
The impact of Covid-19 on unethical practices in global supply chains
This blog post explains the fall-out from the COVID-19 pandemic on global supply chains, together with the specific impacts on fashion and garment workers. The short and long-term effects, together with implications for supply chain resilience and ethical work practices are discussed.
Read the full blog post: The impact of Covid-19 on unethical practices in global supply chains
Impact of COVID-19 on Textiles Industry: Tirupur experience
This blog post explores the impact of COVID-19 on the textiles industry in Tirupur and shares findings from the interviews undertaken by our Sustainable Threads colleagues based in India. Reflections are given on the impact of the pandemic on workers. The opportunity for the industry to revive and recover is explained, with the role of Government help, collaboration, innovation, and resilience key to this.
Read the full blog post: Impact of COVID-19 on Textiles Industry: Tirupur experience
Reports
Impact of Covid-19 on Indian fashion supply chains: Research Summary
This is a summary of the report: Fashion Supply Chains, Modern Slavery and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Impacts, Empathy and Resilience. This provides short summaries and conclusions based upon the overall research findings.
Download the report: Impact of Covid-19 on Indian fashion supply chains: Research Summary
Fashion supply chains, modern slavery and the covid19 pandemic
This report shares our analysis of the collective experiences of stakeholders in India and the UK impacted the perception and management of modern slavery risks. The report sets out the immediate impacts of the pandemic, the impacts associated with decisions taken by brands, policy makers, and other stakeholders as a response to the pandemic, and considers the longer-term impacts for the global fashion industry.
Download the report: Fashion Supply Chains, Modern Slavery and the COVID-19 Pandemic. Impacts, Empathy and Resilience
The impact of Covid-19 on unethical practices in global supply chains
This report examines the state of global textile supply chains and what impacts the COVID-19 pandemic caused to the risks of modern slavery and labour exploitation. We assess the various impacts the industry has faced, what actions were taken, and what was the reasoning behind those actions. We evaluate the effects of actions taken and how the structure of global textile supply chains affected their resilience.
Download the report: The impact of Covid-19 on unethical practices in global supply chains