CSR in practice: How Hydrowear gives workers in India a greater voice through Project Salahe
A safe workplace starts with listening
Hydrowear develops workwear for people who deliver top performance every day in demanding environments. But real protection goes beyond the product. The workers who make our clothing deserve a working environment that is safe, fair, and people-oriented.
That is why we invest in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at every possible level of our chain. A striking example is Project Salahe, carried out at one of our manufacturers in India in collaboration with Inosculation Hub (InHub).
The challenge: little say, more risk
In many clothing factories and production locations worldwide, workers have limited means to make their voices heard or to suggest improvements. This can lead to a lack of engagement. By actively involving workers in decisions about their workplace, they feel heard and are given the opportunity to implement sustainable improvements together with management. To achieve this, we started Project Salahe.
Ilse Pijnenburg
Hydrowear Sustainability Coordinator:
"When we assess fair working conditions, we look at many aspects: from fire safety to pay slips. A workshop may look perfect on the surface, yet have physical shortcomings, such as an empty first aid kit. These shortcomings are often easy to remedy. But beneath the surface, there may be deeper, less visible challenges with a major impact. These require a layered approach and involvement at all levels.
Social dialogue and safe channels for sharing suggestions and ideas are essential in this regard. By giving workers a voice and involving them in suggestions for action, we make complex challenges discussable and prevent damage. We look beyond the low-hanging fruit and tackle the major risks."
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