At the 12th Asian Textile Conference (ATEXCON 2025), organized by the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI), industry leaders reinforced their commitment to ethical labor practices by implementing a stringent Code of Conduct to prevent child and forced labor. This initiative ensures compliance with national and international labor laws, safeguarding workers' rights across the supply chain.
Signatory factories must not engage in bonded or forced labor and must ensure all work is performed voluntarily without coercion. The code mandates that no child under 14 years is employed in factories or supply chains, aligning with both Indian regulations and international labor standards. If a higher minimum age is required by law, factories must comply with that threshold. Additionally, young workers aged 14 to 18 are prohibited from hazardous tasks, night shifts, and exposure to harmful substances.
To prevent child labor, factories must have strict recruitment policies, verify proof of age through official documents, and conduct regular audits to ensure compliance. If child labor is detected, companies are responsible for rehabilitation and remediation. Suppliers and subcontractors must also adhere to these standards.
To combat forced labor, factories must implement policies prohibiting bonded labor and human trafficking. Workers must be informed of their rights in a language they understand and provided with written employment contracts. Employers are prohibited from retaining workers’ identification documents, and all employment must be free from coercion or threats.
The code aligns with Indian labor laws, including the Factories Act, Minimum Wages Act, and Child Labor Prohibition Act, as well as ILO conventions on forced and child labor. By enforcing these guidelines, the Indian textile industry aims to promote ethical sourcing, enhance brand reputation, and eliminate exploitative labor practices, reinforcing its commitment to social responsibility and fair labor standards.
