British online fashion retailer Asos renewed its global framework agreement with IndustriAll Global Union, committing to protect worker rights, trade union access and responsible supply chain practices.
Per the new agreement, Asos will work with IndustriAll to develop a binding dispute resolution plan to handle worker grievances regarding violations of freedom of association and rights to collective bargaining. The retailer and union also will implement a joint training program for suppliers, ensuring they understand and meet expectations for protecting worker rights.
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“The renewed global framework agreement reflects years of joint work and shows that lasting change comes from strong implementation and monitoring, not voluntary pledges,” said Atle Høie, IndustriAll general secretary. “It demonstrates a sustainable approach to labor rights, ensuring that trade unions can represent workers effectively and that their voices are heard on the ground in supplier factories.”
The renewed agreement also covers all key International Labor Organization conventions, including Convention 190, which recognizes “the right of everyone to a world of work free from violence and harassment, including gender-based violence and harassment.”
“Renewing our Global Framework Agreement with IndustriAll was one of the first commitments we set ourselves when we relaunched our updated Fashion with Integrity sustainability strategy last year,” said José Antonio Ramos, CEO of Asos. First introduced in 2010 and updated last year, Asos’ Fashion with Integrity strategy outlines the company’s goals and guidelines on sustainability, circularity and human rights, including wages and benefits, forced labor, freedom of association and gender empowerment.
The IndustriAll Global Union represents 50 million workers in 130 countries across multiple sectors, including manufacturing. The union has signed agreements with a number of fashion brands, including H&M, Zara parent Inditex and Esprit, among others. Asos—which represents several brands such as Asos Design, Collusion and Topshop and boasts more than 18 million active customers in more than 200 markets—signed its previous global framework agreement with IndustriAll in 2017.
Asos said that the agreement represents its commitment to ongoing monitoring and due diligence to safeguard workers across the company’s supply chain.
“In the eight years since we signed our original agreement, our relationship with IndustriAll has helped us to improve resilience in our supply chain, mitigate human rights risks and deliver positive long-term change for the people who make our clothes,” Ramos said. “Our new agreement will strengthen our relationship and will be vital in driving further improvements for Asos and for workers in our supply chain.”
