Strengthening rightsholder engagement in the textile industry

In the fashion, textile, and apparel industry, those working on the ground in global supply chains are often the most impacted by the industry’s problems and the most vulnerable to human rights harms. Smallholder farmers, workers, and indigenous people are all at risk of having their human rights potentially affected by an organization’s operations, products, or services—in other words, they are “rightsholders” in the textile sector. However, in many contexts, rightsholders are more vulnerable or marginalised, and lack the power and influence to have their voices heard.

To try and address this, Textile Exchange decided to develop and embed a proactive approach to rightsholder engagement across the organisation.

Meaningful engagement with rightsholders is critical to ensure an organization like Textile Exchange understands and reflects the needs and priorities of those most significantly impacted by the textile industry. Rightsholders not only have the right to exercise agency in decision-making process, but also possess critical knowledge and insights key to addressing issues such as climate change, which is another crucial challenge for the sector.

Despite growing expectations for companies to consult with rightsholders, per the guidance of the United Nations Guiding Principles and in the requirements of the new Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), they are often seen merely as sources of information or data, rather than voices to be included within decision-making processes. Companies and private sector organizations can change this dynamic, shifting the balance of power towards marginalised rightsholders.

Oxfam Business Advisory Service collaborated with teams across Textile Exchange to build practical guidance, supporting the organisation in engaging with rightsholders across its activities. This guidance covers everything from project design and planning to monitoring the effectiveness of strategies. The framework includes core principles for rightsholder engagement, along with step-by-step instructions, practical tips, and potential scenarios to bring the guidance to life.

After developing an initial framework for Textile Exchange, we validated this with stakeholders including trade unions and civil society organisations. Through a workshop at Textile Exchange’s annual all-staff meeting, we helped diverse teams across the organisation to understand the importance of meaningful rightsholder engagement, and develop an action plan with tangible steps to put the approach into practice.

By embarking on this process, Textile Exchange has taken steps towards ensuring that rightsholders' voices are not only heard but also actively shape the organisation's decisions and actions, promoting a more equitable and sustainable textile industry.