The first ever law on ending violence and harassment in the working world at the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva is being negotiated by governments, trade unions and employers.
ActionAid is addressing the issue, demanding that all parties agree to a strong, binding treaty which protects women and marginalised workers.
The organisation has now released the findings of a survey in order to gain awareness about the ILC conference and the extreme importance of laws to protect women.
Just 37 percent of Irish people who participated knew that there is zero laws a an international level to eliminate workplace gender-based violence and harassment
82 percent of those surveyed said that they care about the conditions in the factories where their clothes are made, but 65 percent claimed it's hard to know which brands are ethical.
82 percent of consumers in Ireland stated that if a clothing brand was exposed to in the media because its clothes are made in factories where women experience sexual violence and harassment, they would refuse to shop there.
28 per cent of Irish people believe that governments are responsible for making sure that clothes are produced in an ethical way. This would mean that, in factories, workers are paid a living wage, work in safe conditions and are free from sexual violence or harassment.
38 percent however claimed it's the employer's responsibility. The global justice organisation also gathered data from 200 garment factory workers, including 181 women, in the capital city of Bangladesh.
80 percent of the workers claimed they were subjected to sexual harassment and/or abuse at work.
ActionAid have heard shocking stories of colleagues sexually assaulted on the factory floor, women abused for not meeting targets and losing their job for being pregnant.
72 percent of garment worker respondents said they had been subjected to extreme verbal abuse at work.
73 per cent of Irish consumers wouldn’t work in a place where workers face gender-based violence, according to ActionAid, and 80 per cent would say no to working in unsafe buildings. Yet garment workers in Bangladesh face these dangerous conditions on a daily basis, and it's not headline news.
The Rana Plaza tragedy killed over 1,100 people just six years ago, but all garment workers surveyed still reported some level of concern over safety in the workplace.
90 percent stated that their jobs were impacting their own health, such as eyesight, injured hands and feet, exhaustion, depression and severe back pain.
CEO of ActionAid Ireland, Siobhan McGee, said;
“The #MeToo movement has brought the issue of sexual violence and harassment at work to the fore. But, the most vulnerable, marginalised and underpaid workers cannot be left out.
"Governments and employers now have the opportunity to act by voting in favour of the first international law to tackle gender-based violence in the world of work."
“Right now, 59 countries still have no national laws against violence and harassment at work, and so a progressive, binding, global treaty is the only way to protect women and other marginalised workers," McGee continued.
“Our research shows that the majority of Irish consumers believe it is the responsibility of governments and brands to protect workers in global supply chains, such as the garment industry.
“Consumers, hit by austerity measures and rising global inequality, face tough choices when the only clothes they can afford are cheap, fast fashion that puts garment workers at risk of abuse. It’s up to brands and governments to ensure that the decision to buy ethical clothing is not only a choice the rich can make.”
One woman, Shopna, has been a garment worker for 16 years and now operates a sewing machine. She has experienced many unwanted sexual advances over the years, and witnessed incidents of assault on other women by powerful men.
Shopna unfortunately faced harassment from an inappropriate factory manager, who repeatedly asked her to stay back after work, but she said no. He violently attacked her after she came into work earlier than other workers.
Let's be real – we all wanna look like one of the Stranger Things cast.
Not only do they do 80s cool effortlessly but it just looks GOOD.
Think brooding Billy in hip head-to-toe denim or Steve ''The Hair'' Harrington in his high-waisted jeans and Nikes?
Well, now you can.
With the third season of Stranger Things hitting Netflix on July 4, Nike wants to celebrate with a collection dedicated to the cult show.
Inspired by Hawkins High School. it is brimming over wih 80s nostalgia.
Launching on June 27, the collection boasts the Nike x Hawkins High Cortez, Nike x Hawkins High Blazer Mid, Nike x Hawkins High Air Tailwind 79 – and they are all in the Hawkins High's green and orange signature colours and feature the Tiger mascot.
So cool, right?
As well as that, there is gym gear, a Hawkins High t-shirt, hoodie with "Phys. Ed" on the front, and a Hawkins High cap.
Just like all of our school clothes…we wish.
The second half of the collection, the "OG Pack," will arrive on July 1 and feature Air Tailwind covered in red, white, and blue to celebrate Independence Day, which is the day season three officially hits Netflix.
We are in love and need EVERY.SINGLE.PIECE.
There go our wages…
Spring has sprung (kinda – knowing Ireland we'll be snowed in in a week) and Nasty Gal are collaborating with Irish blogger Louise Cooney.
As massive Louise fans, and obvs we LOVE Nasty Gal, we were seriously excited to see what they had come up with together.
The collection includes tailored blazer dresses delicate lace bodys and classic denim jeans.
Louise announced the collab news on Instagram, writing, ''So excited to be here to shoot my first and very own edit with @nastygal. You guys know how much I love their clothes, I’ve been a fan for years so it’s unbelievably cool to be here doing this. It’s a dream come true. It goes live on the website later this month! I can’t wait to show you.''
Launching on site on Thursday March 14, her chosen outfits are so gorge that we can't wait to get our hands on them.
Have a browse through her FAB looks below – what's your fave?
Aer Lingus has finally copped on to the fact that it's 2019 and ditched some outdated rules.
The airline has announced that their cabin crew are no longer required to wear make-up at work.
Yes, the ''trolly dolly'' standards that they're known for (and that belong in the 1950s) have been banished.
The company confirmed to The Times that until now all its female staff had no choice but to wear slap as part of their work uniform.
We feel for them, the actual EFFORT of it .
We're doing well if we throw on some foundation for the office.
However, now Aer Lingus said that new guidelines would not include mandatory use for the first time EVER.
Not a moment too soon, huh?
As well as make-up, female employees will soon be allowed to wear trousers, instead of the previously obligatory skirts.
Yeah you read that right, obligatory skirts.
Aer Lingus are following in the footsteps of Virgin Atlantic, who announced this week it was allowing female members of the cabin crew to scrap the make-up if they wanted.
We're delighted for those women, who are surely chuffed that they'll get an extra few minutes in bed now.
Do we all remember how insanely popular Ashley Graham's first PrettyLittleThing collection was? We do. Which is why we're oh so grateful for take two; step into spring.
The company are SO excited to announce their second collaboration with the veteran model, entrepreneur, body positivity activist host of American Beauty Star.
Their #EveryBODYinPLT campaign praises the inclusion of all body types, and PrettyLittleThing are aiming to encourage confidence through fashion, celebrating every woman.
The collection is all about those beautiful silhouettes which make you feel effortlessly gorgeous.
Winter wardrobes are officially GONE, it's time to bring back spring. The clothes inspired by the amazing Ashley Graham provide lush, killer outfits with sophisticated tailored pieces.
We're talkin' blazers, button detail dresses and peplum jumpsuits; be your own boss.
Ashley spoke about her collection, expressing her hope that size will no longer be the 'be all and end all' in fashion;
“The #EveryBODYinPLT campaign shows customers that their size cannot define them and will not restrict them from having access to clothing that they love. Brands like PrettyLittleThing influence millions of people who want to dress on trend, and I’m excited to reach even more people with this second collection.”
The feminine gathered dresses, satin styles and sweetheart neckline silhouettes will have hearts racing, and red takes a starring role. It's next level, gals. Shop the collection now on their website; it's available in UK sizes 6-28. UNREAL.
Get ready to be glued to your earphones, ladies, because our favourite online store, PrettyLittleThing has announced a brand new podcast.
Introducing PLT: Behind Closed Doors is currently sitting at number one on the podcast charts, and for a good reason.
The brand have described the audio as, "A podcast that is true to its name. A way to connect to our audience in a different way with no subject off limits."
The podcast is essentially a slumber party with the gals, where gossip is the sauce served ALL NIGHT LONG, with some healthy female bonding to boot.
To kick off 2019, the crew are hanging out with their gorgeous girls who inspire them daily. It's time to get to know them a lot better, and luckily they're sharing the footage with their audiences and PLT fans globally.
From stories the models and ambassadors have never shared before, to their everyday routines; it's time to really get into the minds of you favourites and take down the barriers of social media. Real talk.
The nine-part mega series will have you blaring the volume and eagerly awaiting the next episode. On Tuesday 22 of January, the debut podcast featured the absolute BABE that is Maya Jama.
Jama is a face of PLT, a TV personality, fashionista and radio presenter herself, giving us purely good vibes. Describing the podcast in her own words, Maya said;
“So excited for PLT to be stepping into the podcast world with Behind Closed Doors. They flipped the tables and put me in the hot seat. Listen in to hear me talk life, face masks and dealing with stalkers."
Stalkers? This we HAVE to hear.
Behind Closed Doors is the latest gift that keeps on giving. PLT Brand Ambassador Megan Barton Hanson will be breaking boundaries, speaking on subjects personal to her;
“Stripper heels are not the easiest to walk in”, she reveals. “I know there has been a lot of talk about my previous profession, so it feels good to set the record straight and open up about my past with PLT in a fun and comfortable environment.”
It's always fabulous to hear women opening up and getting candid about their everyday lives. We can't wait to hear even more from the clothing brand, check out the first episode for some scandal and slumber party vibes.
Listen to the new podcast on iTunes, Spotify & Acast, but leave plenty of time, because you'll be pure BINGEING it.
We never thought it would happen, but thanks to the amazing weather we have had lately, we are officially running out of summer clothes.
Luckily, River Island has just brought in some fab pieces that we can't wait to get our hands on.
Which one is your favourite?
If we didn't love Amber Rose enough for her work to end slut-shaming, then her capsule collection for Simply Be would put us over the edge.
Amber's empowering women, and not just through the Amber Rose Foundation, which aims to promote women’s rights and equality.
The model curated 25 size inclusive pieces that will show off gorgeous bodies of all shapes and sizes, as they range up to size 36.
The collection is wide-ranging, with hoodies, maxi skirts, vinyl leggings, jumpsuits, and plenty more.
The outspoken feminist is helping us to flaunt our curves, and yes, we adore her for it.
Teaming up with Simply Be is a natural move for Amber, considering that they have been championing plus-size fashion for nearly two decades.
“All women should have access to clothes that make them feel sexy, stylish and confident, and working with Simply Be allowed me to bring fearless fashion to women from sizes 6 to 32,” says Rose.
“I hope that everyone who wears my clothes will feel empowered love their bodies, celebrate their curves, and be the best versions of their true selves.”
The collection is also inclusive price-wise, with the clothes costing €14 to €77.70.
These pieces are sure to keep your summer look exciting, and they'll also carry over well into other seasons.
We can't get over how the collection changes so easily from casually cool one moment to stunningly sexy the next.
Amber's selections come in a striking black as well as soft hues of pink and grey, so they'll fit seamlessly in with your wardrobe.
Ummm… when's payday again, by the way? We need to place some online orders, stat.
