Learning Around Transparency in Apparel & Footwear Chains

Finding Hidden Homeworkers

Homeworkers are rarely identified in social audits and remain hidden to many of the Brands whose products they are making. This study reviews the effectiveness of tools and approaches that set out to increase transparency in homeworker chains.

The research is the first stage in the development of a Toolkit for Brands and civil society organisations, to increase transparency in supply chains involving dependent homeworkers.

The principal barrier to transparency identified are the failure of Brands to take an inclusive approach towards homeworkers who may be part of their supply chains, making factories unwilling to open up their sub-contract chains to scrutiny. Mixed messages from Brands and in particular, policies prohibiting homeworking, give a message to suppliers not to be open about homeworking.

Brands can break this cycle of concealment and denial by adopting a Homeworker Policy which allows homeworking and gives permission to their suppliers to disclose its presence.