Labor unions and women’s rights advocates have entered into landmark agreements with Levi Strauss, The Children’s Place, Kontoor Brands (known for Wrangler and Lee jeans), and apparel supplier Nien Hsing Textile to combat gender-based violence and harassment. These enforceable agreements condition the brands’ business with the supplier on its acceptance of a worker-led program to eliminate sexual harassment and abuse. The program features an independent complaint investigation body with the power to direct punishment on abusive managers and supervisors.

These agreements arose from an investigation by the Worker Rights Consortium, which exposed severe and extensive sexual harassment and coercion at the supplier.

Proponents say these are the first binding agreements any apparel brands have signed with worker representatives that address gender-based violence and harassment in their global supply chains. The complaint mechanism to be established is modeled after the Fair Food Program, which has been successful in eradicating sexual harassment and coercion in Florida’s agricultural fields, one of the world’s toughest labor rights environments.

Related reports and analyses on these agreements are linked below.