Gildan Publishes 2019 Genuine Responsibility ESG Report

MONTREAL, Aug. 20, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gildan Activewear Inc. (GIL: TSX and NYSE) announces the release of its 16^th Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report, available on the Company’s dedicated genuineresponsibility.com website. The 2019 ESG report, prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards: comprehensive option, showcases Gildan’s approach and commitment to ESG, including highlights of the Company’s 2019 results, key priorities, and future commitments towards achieving its vision of Making Apparel Better. 

In 2019, the Company continued to focus on making progress towards fulfilling its 2020 goals centered around three Genuine Responsibility pillars: Caring for People, Conserving the Environment, and Creating Stronger Communities.

“I am pleased to present our newest ESG report,” says Claudia Sandoval, Vice President, Corporate Citizenship at Gildan. “Our strategy of owning and operating our facilities has given us the ability to provide rewarding jobs, safe and healthy work environments, and the capability to implement innovative environmental solutions in our operations while continuously improving the lives of our neighbouring communities. Even more so during these uncertain times, our vertical integration enables us to minimize disruption in our supply chain and allows us to leverage our manufacturing excellence to adapt our business to this changing environment,” she continues.

FLA re-accreditation

In July 2019, Gildan’s Social Compliance Program was re-accredited by the Fair Labor Association (FLA) for the second time, after becoming the first basic activewear apparel manufacturer to receive this accreditation in 2007. The re-accreditation comes after an extensive two-year review of the Company’s practices and policies that are in place to ensure fair labour practices across its global supply chain.

Caring for People 

Year after year, Gildan remains committed to maintaining industry-leading working conditions and labour practices at each of its worldwide locations through creating safe and ergonomic workplaces, respecting human and labour rights and employees’ freedom of association, empowering women, and offering competitive benefits. In 2019, 96% of Gildan workers were represented by formal Health and Safety committees. The Company provided almost 2.5 million hours of training to its employees and invested $13.9 million in supplemental benefits, which included free onsite medical health care, vaccination and medicine programs, parental leave, financial assistance, subsidized meals, and free transportation at Gildan facilities in Latin America and Asia. As part of the Company’s overall commitment to diversity and inclusion, Gildan also continued to strengthen its focus on women empowerment by continuing to roll-out various training opportunities to uplift women in the workplace at all levels of the organization and by strengthening its relationship with partners such as Catalyst. Through these initiatives, Gildan aims to help elevate and empower women in the workplace while breaking down any barriers they may face.