A model for the living wage: the Asia Floor Wage Campaign
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Michel Cermak
AFW is organised as a regional alliance, and its objective is to increase salaries in the garment industry throughout Asia, as well as making the model accessible to other production regions (especially in Latin America, Africa and Eastern Europe). The idea is to avoid delocalisation of production by the major brands to countries where labour is cheaper and thereby increase the pressure on prices and competition even further, once wages have been adapted in certain areas. The Clean Clothes Campaign, jointly with local partner organisations in Asia, supports the approach being implemented by the Asia Floor Wage Alliance.
AFW works at local level, offers professional training to workers, and supports trade unions in the countries of production. It also dialogues with the major brands for regional negotiations.
