Blog Post - H&M
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ABOUT H&M
HMs business concept is to offer fashion and quality at the best price. Quality also means that the products have to be manufactured in a way that is environmentally and socially sustainable. Like all HMs activity, our CSR work is based on a drive for continuous improvement.
We have a responsibility towards everyone who contributes to our success, including those who are not employees of HM. That is why we work closely with our suppliers to develop a long-term, sustainable social and environmental standard in the factories that manufacture HMs products.We have to ensure that our employees human rights are not violated, and the same applies to employees of our suppliers and other cooperation partners, and to our customers.We apply the precautionary principle in our environmental work and have adopted a preventative approach with the substitution of hazardous chemicals.We strive to use resources as efficiently as possible and to minimise waste. By adopting new technologies and methods, we can work preventatively to minimise our environmental footprint through improved production processes and our choice of materials. We must continuously review the companys goals and strategies to reduce the companys climate impact.Our decisions are based on careful consideration, where shorter or longer-term environmental benefits are weighed up in order to ensure that we choose solutions which are sustainable in the long term.We want to be a good global citizen and act responsibly in our business relations. We take a clear stand against all forms of corruption. We engage in dialogue with all our various stakeholders to build trust in our operations within the environment we rely on for our long-term success.Sustainability Update from H&M - Visit to Cambodia
Last week I visited Phnom Phen to meet with the ILO/Better Works Cambodia on how to improve working conditions in the export garment factories. The lack of dialogue between workers and factory management on the one hand, and unions and the employers’ association on the other, seems to be one of the main reasons for the incidents we have seen recently. Hence, right now we are focusing on getting a functioning dialogue system in place.
I also visited M&V4, to see the improvements being made according to the action plan to address the mass illnesses, and to discuss the importance of dialogue between employers and workers and how they can benefit from an open dialogue. Currently, we are, in collaboration with stakeholders, working on a social dialogue project to strengthen knowledge about negotiation skills and conflict resolution at our suppliers’ factories. Lasting improvements in working conditions require a continuous, well-functioning dialogue, and parallel it is important to educate the factory management to overcome the communication gap.
The week prior to my trip to Cambodia I met with the Vice Premier Minister of Cambodia on his visit to Stockholm, to discuss the importance of a frame work for dialogue and negotiations. A dialogue that everyone would benefit from; workers, suppliers, governement, the country as a whole as well as us - the buyers.
Helena Helmersson is our Head of Sustainability. Opinions expressed are her personal views and do not necessarily represent the official views of H&M. Do you have questions or feedback? Please click here.
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