Working conditions

H&M Group has been managing these issues for more than 20 years. As with many other brands, we don’t own our factories — instead, we collaborate with over 550 tier 1 suppliers, representing more than 960 factories that also produce for other brands.

Everyone should have access to decent, meaningful jobs with adequate wages and benefits, in safe and secure workplaces that are free from discrimination and with the right to freedom of association. This is true of our employees and the people working in our production supply chain. Our work is aligned with the International Labour Organization’s Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and informed by its definition of decent work.

We are careful when entering new partnerships and are committed to choosing partners who share our respect for people and the environment, and who are willing to work with us to improve their practices. Our employees in our production offices work directly with our suppliers and their factories to form good relations, assess their performance against our Sustainability Commitment, and support them in making improvements through various programmes and activities. Through our Sustainable Impact Partnership Programme (SIPP), we support our business partners in raising their environmental and social performance. Not only do our employees in production offices have close relationships with our business partners, but also with non-governmental organisations, experts, stakeholders and local governments. This gives them insight into the challenges involved and an understanding of how to drive improvements locally. Once we form a partnership, we work together with the supplier to improve its sustainability performance through training and capacity building. Sustainability performance is an important factor when deciding which suppliers to do business with.

H&M Group is committed to contributing to fire, building and electrical safety in our supply chain. We were one of the first signatories of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, which was signed in 2013. It was an agreement between the international trade union IndustriALL Global Union and more than 200 apparel brands and retailers to make fire, electrical and structural improvements in the Bangladesh ready-made garment industry.

In May 2020, the Accord operations in Bangladesh were transferred to the then newly founded RMG Sustainability Council (RSC). This is a Bangladesh not-for-profit organisation with a tripartite governance structure and equal representation on the board of directors of international brands, trade unions and suppliers. The RSC adopted all Accord protocols and articles.

In August 2021, a new agreement called the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry was signed between H&M Group, trade unions and other brands. The agreement, which was a continuation of the previous legally binding commitments, took effect on 1 September 2021. In January 2023, H&M Group signed a new agreement between global brands and trade unions with the aim of further protecting the health and safety of garment workers in Pakistan.

This agreement is a legally binding commitment and will, in collaboration with industry stakeholders in Pakistan, continue our joint efforts in this very important area.

In 2021, H&M Group became one of 11 partners in the collaborative platform Responsible Trucking, which is facilitated by CSR Europe. The partnership aims to improve the social conditions of truck drivers in the road transport and logistics sector across Europe.

As a first step, the Social Guidelines have been released. They reflect a joint commitment concerning truck drivers’ working conditions, including, among other things, forced labour, working and resting times, remuneration and health.

To move from guidelines to practical implementation, Responsible Trucking has an integrated approach focused on:

• Implementing an industry-wide spot-check tool that will allow the voices of drivers to be heard.
• Organising capacity-building activities aimed at supporting transport buyers and suppliers to empower drivers.
• Engaging with key stakeholders.