COVID-19 has caused considerable damage to the apparel & textile (A&T) ‘industry and exposed the precariousness of the supply chain ecosystem like never before. Considering India is the fifth largest exporter of apparel products and the second-largest employer, it is imperative that the industry manages its workforce and alleviates any social risks. There is a growing consensus that companies should consider their suppliers as true partners in value creation and integrate respect for human rights into the supply chain. Global efforts to regulate global supply chains are also intensifying. 

To address these risks, organizations use multiple mechanisms to help address human rights risks in their supply chain. For years, buyers have relied on the Code of Conduct and Voluntary Sustainability Standards to ensure compliance throughout their supply chain. However, the shortcomings of depending on these mechanisms are increasingly leading buyers and suppliers to go beyond compliance systems and develop alternate solutions to address critical challenges.

One of the ingenious approaches to monitoring human rights risks to business is the Self-Assessment Framework. Self-assessment of human rights helps organizations identify and evaluate risks in order to take corrective measures to redress impacts or improve policies and processes.