Fair Wear at Hydrowear: how we work together to ensure fair supply chains
Workwear should protect. That also applies to the people who make the workwear. That is why we have been working with Fair Wear since 2009: an independent organization that improves working conditions in the clothing chain.
What is Fair Wear
Fair Wear works with a clear Code of Labor Practices: eight basic rights that you can expect in every workplace. These include: free choice of work, no discrimination, no child labor, a living wage, normal working hours, safe and healthy workplaces, freedom of association and collective bargaining, and a legal employment relationship. These standards are based on ILO conventions and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
How it works in practice:
- Annual Brand Performance Check
- Audits and complaints mechanism
The Fair Wear statuses explained. Brands are classified annually into three categories:
- Leader
- Good
- Needs Improvement
Hydrowear has the status Good. “Good” means: the processes are mature, the risks are known, improvements are systematically addressed, and reporting is transparent. No chest-thumping; instead, demonstrating year-on-year progress on issues such as working hours, wages, and social dialogue.
CSR in practice: Project Salahe
Salahe in India demonstrates how Fair Wear principles are implemented in the workplace: establishing social dialogue, strengthening reporting channels, and training worker committees. The result: structural consultation between workers and management, an improved complaints process, and a concrete improvement plan with action points.
How Fair Wear helps you as a customer
- Transparency: public reports and clear benchmarks. You know where you stand.
- Continuous improvement: new goals every year, no tick-box culture.
- Practical certainty: clothing that does what it promises, made under the right conditions.
What you can expect from Hydrowear
Hydrowear has been a member of Fair Wear since 2009. Every year, we are independently assessed and we focus on areas for improvement. We are committed to clothing that lasts longer, safe working conditions at our manufacturers, and step-by-step chain improvement. With programs such as Salahe, we give workers a structural voice and ensure that suggestions and reports really lead to action.
In short: clear agreements, annual checks, and demonstrable progress in the workplace.
Back to overview
