Health and Safety in the Textile Sector
Health and safety at work fall within the risk area of working practices and quality – and at the same time represent the biggest problem.
These risks occur at every stage of the value chain, with the exception of the wholesale and retail sectors. Whilst conditions vary depending on the country and stage of processing, the same abuses recur: workers handle pesticides without protection during cultivation; there is a lack of safety measures during husking; and dyes and bleaching agents are used without safety precautions. Added to this are blocked emergency exits, inadequate fire safety, a ban on meals, a lack of breaks and endless overtime.