Inditex and IndustriALL have strengthened their commitment to improve working conditions in the textile supply chain with the signing of a new protocol on the 15th anniversary of the signing of their global framework agreement, as reported by the company in a statement.

The new agreement was signed on Tuesday by the CEO of Inditex, Oscar García Maceiras, and the general secretary of IndustriALL global union, Atle Hoie.

By strengthening the Global Union Committee and its coordinating bodies, the new protocol furthers social dialogue through the establishment of new mechanisms that reinforce the role of local unions and move towards a better understanding of the needs of workers in the Inditex Group's supply chain.

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With this new protocol, Inditex and IndustriALL will formulate a joint work plan that will focus on continued respect for the freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining and the provision of training to workers' representatives, the textile group's suppliers and factory workers in its supply chain.

The two entities are also making progress on a new workplace access protocol, which aims to deepen the knowledge and monitoring of working conditions in the factories in Inditex's supply chain.

"The protocol signed today, commemorating the 15th anniversary of the framework agreement between Inditex and IndustriALL, evidences our determination to strengthen respect for fundamental labor rights across our supply chain and marks a fresh milestone in both IndustriALL and Inditex's ongoing mission of improving the lives of the women and men who populate it," said Garcia Maceiras.

Meanwhile, Hoie stressed that this agreement "was a breakthrough that has since lead the way for more responsible sourcing and proper industrial relations in the sector." "The fact that we agree with Inditex to increase the role of our local and national unions and to firmly defend their right to organize and bargain collectively in supply chains gives hope to many," he added.

The Director of the International Labor Organization (ILO) in Spain, Félix Peinado, who was present at the signing ceremony, expressed his satisfaction with the agreement. "Spanish trade unions Comisiones Obreras and UGT, together with Inditex, have been frontrunners in Spain with this agreement. I could not be prouder of this agreement or happier to celebrate its anniversary. The agreement is an example of how, with the combined commitment and hard work of companies and their workers' representatives, it is possible to forge better working conditions around the world," he said.

This agreement marks a new milestone in the ongoing partnership between Inditex and IndustriALL, which began 15 years ago, in 2007, with the signing of the Global Framework Agreement, which represented a significant breakthrough for the industry, as well as a major boost to its sustainability and a real opportunity to improve the working conditions of the almost millions of people who work in the factories manufacturing for Inditex worldwide.