Leather

South Asia is a key supplier of leather products such as shoes, clothing and accessories. Millions of workers in the leather sector are subject to poor working conditions. For example, workers in leather tanneries work daily with harmful chemicals without adequate protective equipment. Workers often receive such poor wages that their income is insufficient to cover their basic needs. As a result, children have to work too meaning child labour is widespread in the sector.    

Arisa has mapped the leather supply chain from South Asia to Europe and researched discrimination against scheduled caste people (Dalits) and Muslims in leather production. In South Asia, working with dead animals and skins is primarily the task of Dalits and Muslims. Dalits make up the majority of workers, especially at the beginning – the informal part – of the supply chain. Poor working conditions are generally interrelated with systematic exclusion and discrimination of this population group.     

Arisa wants to make European companies aware of the often-harsh working conditions and discriminatory practices that workers in the leather supply chain experience. These companies have the power to improve working conditions in their supply chain.