Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of working with her international counterparts to create a standardised code of conduct and expectations for garment factories in developing countries; and if she will make a statement.

DFID is committed to improving conditions in garments factories, including those which supply clothing to UK stores, through a range of multi-national initiatives, including those to improve codes of conduct. These initiatives include:

• the £30 million Responsible Accountable Transparent Enterprise programme which works through the Ethical Trading Initiative and United Nation’s Global Compact to support the development and implementation of standards and codes, including for the garment sector specifically;
• the Bangladesh “Sustainability Compact” which commits the Government of Bangladesh, the European Union, the United States, Canada and the International Labour Organisation to improve labour rights, building safety, health and safety, and responsible business conduct; and
• DFID co-hosting of ‘The Fair Fashion in Africa’ event on 2 May to explore further opportunities to help female garment workers in Africa access quality jobs that support their economic empowerment.