Negotiations for the gender justice pact were conducted by the unions Serikat Pekerja Nasional (SPN), Federasi Serikat Pekerja Tekstil Sandang dan Kulit Serikat Pekerja Seluruh Indonesia (FSP TSK SPSI), and Serikat Buruh Demokratis Kerakyatan – Kongres Aliansi Serikat Buruh Indonesia (SBDK – Kasbi).
The agreement, originally signed in July last year, originated from female workers at two Indonesian clothing factories, allegedly enduring gender-based violence and harassment.
This led to investigations conducted by the Workers’ Rights Alliance (WRC) in 2021 and 2022 and “including discipline and termination of numerous perpetrators, including remedies”.
The two factories, PT Eight-Button Clothing Indonesia and PT Semarang Garment Indonesia, are owned by Ontide, which was recently acquired by South Korean group Creas F&C. These factories were previously owned by other entities under the name of Kukdong.
Together, these factories hired 6,250 people to make sportswear for famous American brands.
“The agreement is not just two factories in central Java. It sets a precedent for the garment industry in Indonesia, Southeast Asia and the world, where workers can and must have the right to a safe and solemn workplace. We call on all unions in the field to draw inspiration from this agreement in their struggles.”
The agreement introduces alliance-led initiatives to eliminate GBVH by incorporating international best practices exemplified by the Dindigul and Lesotho agreements.
Signators of the agreement also include the Asian Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA) and Global Labor Justice (GLJ).
Wiranta Ginting, Deputy International Coordinator of AFWA said: “AFWA is honored to join our partners in conjunction with women workers from SPN and Allied Unions and the Allied Unions of Indonesia, SPSI and SBDK KASBI, to launch this new enforceable supply chain agreement to be on GBVH prevention in Asia. As Asian workers unite and share lessons throughout the region, we have won a major breakthrough with global brands and suppliers.”
Under the Central Java Agreement, buyers who need to obtain a clothing license agreement with WRC affiliated universities to ensure that suppliers comply with their obligations to workers and unions.
Such enforcement mechanisms are crucial in ensuring the implementation of recommended solutions and facilitating successful negotiations.
John Yoon, Director of Sustainability, said: “We are honored to join with four unions representing our workforce, the Asian Floor Wage Alliance, the Global Labor Justice and the Workers’ Rights Alliance on the Agreement and support from our business partners. As part of our business partners, we have agreed on the safety and good efforts of workers to deliver the initial results and achieve the initial results.
