Policy Design & Strategy . Sustainability & Human Rights . 2023
Design Challenge
Select a key stakeholder in fashion ecosystem and from their perspective, design a strategy for improving conditions for garment factory workers.
Project Scope
Research & Strategy
Brand Policy Design
Report Writing
My Role
Design Researcher
Policy Strategist
Methodology
Secondary Research
Literature Review
Synthesis & Insights
Strategic Policy Design
Duration
3 Weeks
Team of 1
Independent
Research Project
Mentor
Elena Arengo
“How might a fast fashion brand design its sourcing policy to improve workers’ conditions and promote social sustainability across its supply chain?”
Research Context
Brands are high power-impact stakeholder in the fashion ecosystem. Garment Factory Workers are the largest stakeholders of a brand’s value chain. Sadly, not many brands recognise this.
A brand must make sure that garment workers in its supply chain are treated with respect and dignity and not exploited. Can a brand review its policies to take responsibility for bettering workers' conditions?
The Process
I selected UNIQLO for case study and policy design for this project. UNIQLO does not own any factories. Instead, it outsources the production to factories outside Japan. Most of these supplier factories are located in the global south (South East Asia) and are managed by either Uniqlo directly or through a trading company.
Uniqlo can make small yet strategic design intervention to their existing business model to ensure increased transparency between the brand, the sourcing factories and the workers' conditions.
Disclaimer: The polices are neither endorsed nor created by Uniqlo. They are designed as a potential proposal for the brand.
Understanding Global Challenges in Fashion Supply Chains
Tracing Uniqlo's Supply Chain & Production Process
Uncovering ‘Worker-Centric’ Challenges
Key Insights + Strategic Recommendations
Common Worker Challenge #1
Brands request last minute changes in the tech-packs or cause delay in giving approvals which results in pressure for factories and in turn garment workers to complete orders as per original time-line, leading to over-time unpaid work.
Strategy Proposal #1
Uniqlo includes a measurable clause in its responsible purchasing practices to hold brand accountable for any delays caused by its own actions. If the brand breaches the contract, it takes ownership rather than passing undue pressure for deliveries to the factories.
How It works ? Intended Impact ?
Read Full Report
Common Worker Challenge #2
Wage theft and untimely payment of wages for brand orders. Brands claim they make timely payments but workers do not receive it. Where does it get lost in a transaction?
Strategy Proposal #2
Uniqlo Production Offices take personal responsibility of ensuring that the partner factories make timely payments to the workers, much like the Human Resource Team.
How It works ? Intended Impact?
Read Full Report
Read Full Report