Beyond Compliance: Collaborating for Ethical Supply Chains

Agriculture farmworkers in Nepal

As &Wider embarks on an exciting phase of growth, we're reflecting on how we can best contribute to social sustainability, especially with the new legal frameworks, like the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and import bans in relation to products related to forced labour. This has led us to think about who we want to partner with on this journey.

We’re a human rights data and insights company driven by innovation and big ideas, and on a clear mission to improve workers’ lives.  We believe in the power of collaboration, listening, and visibility for workers, because tackling problematic working conditions along supply chains is a challenge that requires all of us working together. Our approach spans any landscape, sector, and language, focusing on improving working conditions and worker well-being by gathering robust data from workers and rights holders themselves. These are the stories that need to be heard—the voices that matter. And they do matter. According to the ILO, as of 2021, there were 27.6 million workers in forced labour conditions, with 17.3 million exploited in the private sector.

&Wider partners with clients who find labour exploitation in global supply chains unacceptable. Our partners go beyond ticking boxes; they illuminate the hidden risks and complexities of supply chains. They embrace collaboration, knowing that human rights due diligence is a collective challenge that requires joint efforts for meaningful impact. Motivated by robust data, our ideal clients use insights to target interventions and drive continuous improvement across their global operations. They understand that this isn’t about catching anyone off guard, but about proactive collaboration to identify and address critical issues. We find inspiration in clients who demand more than superficial risk data, seeking comprehensive insights into their unique risks and opportunities.

Good data leads to better outcomes for workers and companies. Since 2018, we've seen 89% of workplaces with a priority issue (flagged by 50% or more of workers as a problem) experience a decrease in these priorities. This shows that when brands and their suppliers are made aware of an issue by workers, they can address it, often within the first data cycle.

Does your business value listening and continuous improvement? If you're committed to undertaking human rights due diligence work to safeguard your business, enhance social sustainability commitments, and uphold responsibility, then &Wider is ready to collaborate. Click here to start making a meaningful impact today!