In conversation with the STITCH consortium: Introducing Mondiaal FNV

Meet Ruben Korevaar, Policy Advisor at Mondiaal FNV, the international solidarity and support organisation affiliated with the largest Dutch trade union federation, the FNV.  In our new interview, Ruben talks about his role within the trade union, the achievements of the organisation as part of STITCH, and the biggest challenges and opportunities in transforming the garment sector.  

What is your role at Mondiaal FNV?  

In my daily role as a policy advisor, I use my knowledge and network to advance decent work in various supply chains, with a particular focus on the textiles, garment, shoe, and leather (TGSL) sector. I collaborate with trade union partners and civil society organisations (CSOs) in production countries like Bangladesh, and I manage several programs, including STITCH. I provide guidance to our partners but also to businesses on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD), particularly in relation to labour rights and decent work standards. Strengthening industrial relations and advancing social dialogue is a key part of our work.   

Ruben Korevaar facilitating HRDD training for trade unions and labour rights organisations in Bangladesh

What is Mondiaal FNV responsible for within STITCH?  

As a trade union organisation, we ensure that workers' voices are well represented within the STITCH programme. This means workers are well-informed about their rights. They are empowered to organise, including joining a trade union, and can address issues that make them vulnerable. These issues often include violence and harassment in and around the workplace, as well as insufficient minimum wages that fail to cover the basic needs of the workers. Mondiaal FNV work closely with trade unions and labour rights organisations in countries like Bangladesh, India, Myanmar and the MENA region, within the global textile and garment industry. 

In addition, it is important that companies in Europe and the Global North take their responsibility and ensure human rights for all their workers! In which adhering to environmental and human right due diligence standards and creating decent working conditions, such as a living wage, is the norm. We support companies in improving their knowledge on these topics, transforming business practices, establishing remedy systems for workers, and supporting collective bargaining efforts to secure safer working conditions, higher wages, and a stronger workers’ voice in decision-making. This includes both factory-level improvements and broader sectoral changes in our focus countries. Capacity building for our trade union partners and labour rights organisations is key to achieving these goals. 

Women carrying out quality control and preparations for packaging at a factory organised by one of Mondiaal FNV’s partners

What does your day look like? Give examples of activities you do within STITCH.  

In my role as strategic lead and policy advisor it is important to support my colleagues and partners in their day-to-day work. This could involve tackling practical issues related to project activities or providing strategic input for social dialogue meetings for our partners, as well as helping to shape lobbying messages aimed at various decision-makers. Reaching out to brands and suppliers to address non-compliance issues at the factory level, and guiding brands in strengthening their HRDD practices, is also a key part of my role as policy advisor at Mondiaal FNV. 

What achievement has Mondiaal FNV contributed to within STITCH that you are proud of?  

Every year, together with our union partners, we reach out to tens of thousands of workers and successfully negotiate collective bargaining agreements across all our focus areas. Recently, we published a report on the right to organise examining the shrinking space of workers in the India Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector. In partnership with IndustriALL and local partners in Bangladesh, we successfully lobbied brands and the government to launch a pilot for an employment injury scheme—a social protection programme covering medical treatment, rehabilitation services, and compensation for income loss due to occupational injuries and diseases.  

Additionally, over the years, we have worked with local partners in STITCH countries to successfully lobby governments to ratify ILO Convention 190. This type of advocacy is essential for shedding light on business practices, providing evidence on how to change purchasing practices, and supporting workers in improving working conditions. 

Further, Mondiaal FNV has been driving the partners in developing the framework for Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement which serves as an important guidance on how companies should engage with stakeholders as part of human rights due diligence to drive real benefits for workers. Lastly, in collaboration with ETI and FW, we are set to release a report on the implementation of the new minimum wage in Bangladesh, later this year.       

What is the biggest challenge on the path to transforming the garment industry, and which solution to this challenge do you think can be the most impactful? 

Current business practices tend to prioritise profit maximisation and growth, often at the expense of sustainable and responsible operations, particularly when it comes to labour rights and environmental standards. For years, we have seen a decline in respect for workers’ rights and their ability to negotiate better working conditions. Wages are being squeezed by inflation, and brands are unwilling to pay prices that would enable a living wage, safe working conditions, and environmentally clean production processes. It is more important than ever that brands take a stand, showing their commitment to human rights, including the right to freedom of association and a living wage.   

Leader of the SGSF union with workers and members at a factory in Bangladesh where Mondiaal FNV organised workers and negotiated a CBA

At Mondiaal FNV, in collaboration with our partners, we will continue to advocate for stronger legislation and work to strengthen trade unions throughout the TGSL value chain, supporting a living wage, gender equality, and decent work for all.