Levis Strauss Promises Supply Chain Workers Support

Levi Strauss&Co (LS&Co) is providing support for garment supply chain workers, which is part of the company's commitment to invest $3 million in new crown pneumonia.

In a letter to employees in April 2nd, Chip Bergh, President and CEO of LS&Co, said that the Levi Strauss Foundation (LSF) is working with a number of sourcing country partners to help solve the direct impact of the new crown virus on the apparel supply chain.

This will include a series of public health support for factory workers, as well as funding for food security, especially for women who are most vulnerable to economic shocks.

Bergh added: "we are also working with industry stakeholders to explore a collective response to support workers during the crisis. We have a long history of sharing the experience and methods of improving the welfare of garment workers and will continue to do so during this period. No company can cope with this devastating crisis on its own, but we believe that through joint efforts, we can make changes.

The $3 million relief (for LS&Co employees, partners and supply chain workers) will provide support for Pioneer organizations working in communities that are vulnerable to pandemic effects, including doctors without borders and international women's human rights emergency action and rescue fund.

In addition to more than 15 grants from the first round, LSF will continue to support its current recipients, and will also intensify efforts to provide additional support to LS&Co's global supply chain.

The company is also committed to addressing the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE), and plans to donate medical grade masks for staff safety to hospitals around the world (up to now, nearly 10000), and to explore other feasible assistance programmes from the perspective of manufacturing and innovation.

In addition, Bergh said employees of the company spontaneously stood up to make self-made masks for medical staff and community members who had no direct contact with suspected new crown pneumonia.