This initiative aims to enhance worker representation and address labour issues within global supply chains.

FLA's toolkit serves as a practical guide, providing a step-by-step approach to developing, implementing, and evaluating grievance mechanisms. It includes an Excel audit tool and a troubleshooting checklist for additional support.

The toolkit focuses on key areas, outlines common challenges, shares best practices, and discusses the business case for effective grievance mechanisms. It also features case studies, field examples, and direct quotes to provide practical insights.

Divided into two main sections – Informational and Operational, the toolkit addresses the diverse needs of companies at different stages of developing and implementing their grievance mechanisms.

Grievance mechanisms are formalised with internal dispute resolution processes available to individuals and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including unions.

For factories, these mechanisms help in identifying, preventing, and remedying worker issues, ensuring that workers' voices are heard within the workplace.

FLA president and CEO Jeff Vockrodt said: “Grievance mechanisms are critical not only to protecting workers, but also to safeguarding a company’s reputation with consumers and investors. However, many brands and suppliers struggle to fully implement them. Our new toolkit will help companies establish trusted grievance processes that demonstrate that labour rights concerns are taken seriously and resolved quickly.”

To further facilitate understanding and application of the toolkit, FLA will host a public webinar on 4 September.

In May, the FLA in collaboration with human rights consultancy Impactt, published a report identifying several issues within Brazil's leather supply chain. The report pointed out a deficiency in transparency and potential risks to human rights.