Continental Clothing launches organic cotton range

Continental Clothing Company, a leading UK-based wholesale t-shirt manufacturer, is to launch a new range of Fairtrade organic cotton t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts under its new label Fair Share, explains Eco Textile. Continental Clothing Co. has been running a pro-active social responsibility program as a member of Fair Wear Foundation since early 2006. All the Company’s manufacturing facilities are regularly audited for social compliance and are running active monitoring programs in accordance with standards advocated by the International Labour Organisation, the Ethical Trading Initiative and other international bodies.

The company says its decision to invest in Fairtrade cotton is a result of growing market demand for more sustainable textiles and ethically sourced clothing. The first order of 300,000 items has already been made from Fairtrade cotton grown by members of Pratima Agro Fairtrade co-operative in Orissa, India. The farmers are investing Fairtrade certification premiums in projects to enable women to build businesses and market goods to provide them with an independent income. It is expected that Pratima will earn over £9,000 in Fairtrade Premiums per year on top of the Fairtrade price and organic premium thanks to the move.

Continental Clothing Co. has adopted a policy with regard to the following minimum social responsibility criteria: No use of child labour, No use of forced labour, Safe and healthy working conditions, Legal labour contracts, Payment of living wage, Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining, No discrimination against employees and No excessive hours of work