COVID-19: ALDI takes action to support global garment industry

As one of the first discount retailers worldwide, the ALDI SOUTH Group joined the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) “Call to Action in the garment industry” in May 2020. The ILO is asking the global garment industry to support manufacturers through the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The top priorities are the protection of the workers’ income, employment, and health as well as the support of their employers. The action will focus on the most vulnerable countries with the weakest health and social protection systems.

By following the Call to Action, the ALDI SOUTH Group is committed to paying suppliers for finished goods and goods in production as well as to seek dialogue with business partners and to promote the ILO Labour Standards. Furthermore, ALDI SOUTH supports the work on sustainable systems of social protection for a more just and resilient garment industry.

In addition to supporting the ILO’s Call to Action, the ALDI SOUTH Group will donate EUR 100,000 to CARE’s Covid-19 fund. The money will help fund CARE’s emergency relief activities for workers in the global garment textile supply chain. Supported activities include money transfers to workers, the provision of hygiene kits, and psychological support in cases of gender-based violence.

In order to further complement these activities, ALDI SOUTH plans to donate facemasks to hospitals and NGOs in Bangladesh in order to help protect the health and safety of local first responders. More information on this project will be published soon.