At Haglöfs, our commitment to supporting good working conditions and respecting workers’ rights is fundamental to our operations. Since 2012, we have been members of the Fair Wear Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving working conditions for garment workers worldwide. 

 

The Fair Wear Foundation collaborates with brands, factories, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, and governments to promote good working conditions. We continuously monitor and work with our partner factories to support implementation of the Code of Labor Practices, including in areas such as safe working conditions, working hours, and freedom of association. Through training and guidance, we support factories in establishing systems that provide workers with channels to raise concerns. 

A vital component of this work is the Fair Wear helpline, a confidential service that provides workers with an additional layer of support. This helpline allows workers to report concerns about labor practices if they feel their concerns are not being addressed by the factory. Once a complaint is made, Haglöfs collaborates with the factory and other Fair Wear member brands to investigate and address the issue.

 

A real-life example: supporting a worker in need

To illustrate the impact of the helpline, consider the story of a sewing worker who began her employment in June 2023. By August 2024, she faced a health crisis that required her to seek medical attention. After being diagnosed with a serious condition, she was advised to take several days off work to recover. The worker promptly informed her supervisor, who approved her leave. However, when her condition did not improve, she had to extend her absence by an additional day.

Upon returning to work, the worker was shocked to learn from the Human Resources (HR) officer that she had been dismissed for taking unauthorized leave. The HR officer also informed her that her medical documents, which were from a private clinic, were not acceptable because the factory only recognized documents issued by state hospitals. Additionally, her July salary was withheld, and she was told she would need to return to the factory to settle compensation for the alleged unlawful termination of her contract.

Unsure of how to proceed and anxious about her rights, the worker contacted the Fair Wear helpline. The helpline team listened to her situation and provided guidance and support, helping her prepare for a meeting with factory representatives. 

 

Finding a resolution

With the helpline’s support, the worker attended the meeting, where she was joined by the union chairman and factory representatives, including the director and a representative from the parent company. During the meeting, the factory agreed to pay her the outstanding salary for July and the days she had worked in August. The worker was also offered the option to continue working at the factory, but recognizing her health issues, she wished to resign from her position.

The worker expressed her gratitude for the support she received from the factory representatives, the brand, and the Fair Wear complaints handler. She was relieved that her benefits were settled and that her situation was handled with care and respect.

 

The impact of the helpline

This story demonstrates how the Fair Wear helpline can support workers in raising concerns about their rights and working conditions. In this case, the helpline gave the worker an additional channel to raise her concerns and seek a resolution. The helpline provided her with the support and advocacy she needed to navigate a challenging situation, helping her raise her concerns and reach a resolution with the factory.

At Haglöfs, we are committed to supporting access to mechanisms that allow workers in the factories we work with to raise concerns about their rights and working conditions. The Fair Wear helpline is just one of the ways we support workers, working toward improved conditions in our supply chain.