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ACT

Supporting Living Wages in the Textile Industry

As a major retailer, Lidl sources apparel and textile products globally. Working conditions and regulatory frameworks naturally vary across production countries depending on local legislation and socio-economic development.

In November 2019, Lidl joined the international ACT (Action, Collaboration, Transformation) initiative. Through this platform, we collaborate with industry partners to advocate for living wages for workers across the textile sector.
To support long-term wage stability, the initiative incorporates binding purchasing volume commitments over time. This prevents production from shifting to lower-cost labor markets and ensures stable supplier relationships.

The initiative brings together key global stakeholders—including international brands, retailers, manufacturers, trade unions, and governments—to drive living wages across the sector.
Under the ACT framework, a living wage must be earned within normal working hours (excluding overtime), cover the basic cost of living for workers and their immediate families, and provide a reasonable level of discretionary income.