KJUS applauded for their Fair Working principles

It’s easy to put profits first at the expense of well, everything else. Fast fashion has changed the high street but not necessarily for the better. Poor working conditions and minimum wages are all too prevalent in the effort to make a profit. KJUS is trying to buck that trend, working with their suppliers to ensure their staff are well looked after.

The Swiss sportswear brand has been awarded “Leader” status by the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF), a non-profit organization. This represents the third successive award for the premium brand in recognition of its efforts to establish fair working conditions. “Our employees are the most important factor in our success. For us, this guiding principle goes way beyond our own company and headquarters,” says Nico Serena, CEO of KJUS. “This is why we fight for fair working conditions among our suppliers and actively help to establish them. The fact that our efforts have been recognized by an independent institution such as the FWF fills us with tremendous pride. The entire report reflects what we stand for: Fair play”, continues Serena.

The “Leader” category distinguishes members of the FWF who operate at an exemplary and advanced level. These include companies that demonstrate best practices in complex areas such as safeguarding the minimum wage, complaints management or freedom of association. In its annual Brand Performance Check, in which each status is verified and defined, the FWF stresses: “KJUS demonstrates pioneering results and has made outstanding progress”.

FWF particularly praises KJUS’s efforts on the “Living Wage” project. On this project, the brand takes the lead whilst working with other companies to ensure that employees of a company in Vietnam receive not just the minimum wage, but also an appropriate living wage. The organization also spells out its complex production processes. As a result of this, suppliers would be able to plan ahead and avoid overtime. KJUS is also acutely aware that the price paid has a direct impact on working conditions.

More than 90 companies and 120 brands are members of the FWF, an independent, international non-profit organization committed to improving the working conditions of employees in the clothing industry. The FWF’s approach takes account of the fact that “100% fair clothing” does not exist, and it therefore focuses on implementing practical steps to improve working conditions. Its members must sign up to the 8-point FWF Code of Labor Practices, which is based on UN and ILO principles. Each year, the FWF publishes the efforts and progress made by its members to implement the code in their supply chain. More information can be found at: www.fairwear.org.