In January 2005 WAD starts work on a 10-month regional partnership project in the field of labor conditions for women in the textile industry. The project is linked with Oxfam's Make Trade Fair movement and the international Clean Clothes Campaign and will be implemented in three countries, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Serbia.

Project objectives:

• raising awareness about the situation of garment workers in Bulgaria,Macedonia and Serbia;
• pushing decision-makers and institutions to address more effectively violations of fundamental human and labour rights of the predominantly female working force;
• facilitating the process of self-organizing for protection of their rights;
• direct support to the rapidly growing number of working poor.

Activities:

• exhibition with picture and voice materials will allow to showcase the local, national, regional and the global aspects of labour conditions in garment production quite frequently under famous and expensive labels, the link between unfair trade and poverty;
• public debates, advocacy activities, educational events and workshops in each of the countries.

Target groups:

• women working in garment facilities and their families;
• trade unions;
• NGOs;
• government institutions;
• young people.

Expected results are:

• Increased public awareness about the situation of garment workers in the 3 participating countries and what needs to be done;
• Increased capacity of the implementing NGOs to serve as national reference providing information and recommendations to Government, unions, the international Make Trade Fair movement and the CCC
• Increased pressure on Governments and institutions to monitor the implementation of the law and sanction violations and corruption, thus improving working conditions in the longer term
• Increased national networking and motivation of stakeholders to engage in concerted solidarity and advocacy actions.
• Increased regional and global networking. (CCC, Oxfam's Make Trade Fair)

Sponsor:Novib