About Arisa

Arisa – Advocating Rights in South Asia – works to improve respect for human rights and labour rights in international supply chains.

Working with civil society partners in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, among other countries, Arisa exposes human rights and labour abuses in the production of garments, leather, natural stone and vegetable seeds, and calls on companies and governments to ensure that rights are respected. Arisa prioritises the position of the most vulnerable groups in global supply chains and works to eliminate child labour, forced labour and caste discrimination. 

How does Arisa work?

Working with its partners in South Asia, Arisa investigates labour conditions and appeals to Western companies when labour abuses are found in their supply chains. Companies have an obligation to prevent and redress violations within their supply chains. If they demonstrate a serious commitment to doing so, Arisa enters into dialogue and collaboration with them. 

Arisa also calls on governments to take responsibility for human rights abuses within supply chains. Governments have the potential to improve working conditions and promote socially responsible business practices in global supply chains through policy, monitoring and diplomacy. Arisa works with Dutch and international networks to promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies and legislation. Furthermore, it argues that governments must set a positive example by implementing clear human rights requirements in their own procurement processes.  

Arisa supports South Asian partners in improving the situation of workers in supply chains, for example through training and access to grievance mechanisms. Arisa promotes communication between companies, civil society organisations and trade unions about abuses and risks in supply chains. 

Stop Childlabour Arisa

Result

Arisa not only identifies abuses and malpractices but also seeks structural improvements in supply chains. Arisa is committed to improving living and working conditions in South Asia. Outcomes include more children in school rather than at work, ending exploitation and improving wages, and reinstating dismissed union members. 

South Asia

Arisa works in South Asia, where many Western companies source their raw materials or outsource their manufacturing operations. The countries of South Asia, including India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, are densely populated countries with an abundance of cheap labour and deep-rooted caste-based discrimination  and discrimination against other socially marginalised groups. Trade unions are few and trade union freedom is under pressure. All this, combined with weak government regulation and enforcement, makes labour rights violations widespread in South Asia. 

History

Arisa originated from the India Committee of the Netherlands in 2019. Learn more about the organisation’s history here