In this episode of Voices, IHRB's Francesca Fairbairn speaks to Francesca Mangano of TFG London about the company’s efforts to address the crew change issue. Francesca discusses TFG’s journey from its steep learning curve on its maritime logistics to ensuring that all vessels carrying its cargo have International Transport Workers’ Federation agreements in place, and encouraging its maritime partners to accept the IMO Industry Recommended Framework of Protocols. The case study is included in a new guidance from the UN Global Compact: Maritime Human Rights Risks and The Covid-19 Crew Change Crisis - A Tool to Support Human Rights Due Diligence, to which IHRB has contributed.
Hundreds of thousands of seafarers are still stranded at sea due to port restrictions. The global crew change crisis, one of the Top 10 Business and Human Rights Issues for 2021, is now well into its second year.
Francesca Mangano is the CSR and Sustainability Executive at TFG London. As head of the CSR and Sustainability Department, and with over 15 years' experience in human rights, ethical trading and sustainability, she is leading the development of TFG London corporate social and environmental responsibility strategy aimed at guiding the business to work within its sphere of influence towards human rights, labour rights and environmental responsibility.
TFG London is part of The Foschini Group Limited (TFG), a South African retail business. TFG entered the UK market in 2015 with the acquisition of Phase Eight, since then adding additional womenswear brands Whistles, Hobbs, Studio 8 and Damsel in a Dress to its portfolio. TFG London global supply chains are distributed across approximately 20 countries.