South Asia Forum (Vært: Etisk Handel DK)

Geopolitical conflicts and global value chains: What does the situation in the Persian Gulf mean for workers’ rights?

Recent escalations in the conflict between Iran and the United States have led to instability in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints for oil and global trade. When access to the strait becomes restricted or unpredictable, the impact goes far beyond supply chain disruptions. It also ripples deep into global production systems.

In this webinar, we will explore how geopolitical instability in the Middle East affects global value chains in the textile and apparel industry and in particular what it means for the people working in production sites around the world.

When transport routes, raw material prices and delivery schedules become unstable, pressure increases across supplier networks. This can lead to higher workload volatility, unpredictable orders, cost pressure, shorter contracts, and in some cases deteriorating working conditions. At the same time, new and often overlooked risks to workers’ rights emerge; risks that companies need to address as part of their ongoing due diligence.

The webinar will provide insights into

• How conflicts in strategic trade routes affect global supply chains
• What consequences this has for factory workers in the textile industry
• Emerging and intensified risks to workers’ rights in volatile markets
• How companies can integrate geopolitical risk into their human rights due diligence processes

The aim is to strengthen companies’ understanding that global crises are not only logistical or financial challenges but also fundamental human rights issues within responsible value chains.