Levi's to offer suppliers financing to improve standards

Denim giant Levi Strauss said this week it would provide financing to its supplier in order to facilitate upgrading their working conditions.

With over 500 suppliers, a pair of 501 jeans could easily be made by workers in some of the world's poorest nations.

The announcement will be a boost to the company's promise to disclose all its manufacturer and supplier details, including addresses. The financing, which is being arranged in partnership with a private sector arm of the World Bank, could allow factories which supply the denim giant to improve environmental performance, ethical conditions, and overall worker safety.

The 2013 Rana Plaza factory tragedy was the start of low-interest loans to improve the outdated safety conditions of many factories.

Whilst Made in Bangladesh may not perhaps hold a very high standing when it comes to both high fashion or ethical standards, it is in fact the world's largest producer of garments after China.

According to the Financial Times, Levi Strauss' suppliers will have access to cheaper capital than they would otherwise in their home countries.