Ethics Newsline®

Indian press says there’s anger that giant retailer cut relations rather than working to fix the issue

LONDON and NEW DELHI
A major British fashion chain last week said it has cut ties with its Indian suppliers after learning that the firms use child labor.

The Times of London reports that Primark said it will drop three firms that made thousands of clothes after discovering they had subcontracted work to firms using children as embroiderers.

According to a report from the Financial Times, the violation of the firm’s ethical sourcing code came to light after a BBC investigative documentary into child labor.

Primark stressed that it took swift action as soon as it found out about the allegations.

In an analysis, the Independent’s Sarah Arnott, notes: “Such robust condemnations are a sign of the public relations issues raised by offshore manufacturing. In response to growing public repugnance at sweatshop labor, ethical concerns have shot up the retail agenda. All members of the British Retail Consortium, which represents 80 percent of the country’s retailers, have signed up to the independently audited Ethical Trading Initiative. The code of practice covers such issues as the free choice of employment, the right to collective bargaining, safe working conditions, and payment of a living wage.”

But the Press Trust of India reports that some in that nation are criticizing Primark for dropping the suppliers rather than working with them to improve conditions.

Sources: Times of London, June 20 — Independent, June 16 — Press Trust of India, June 17 — Financial Times, June 16.

For more information, see: Related Newsline story, July 9, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Nov. 5, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Feb. 12, 2007 — Related Newsline story, Aug. 21, 2006 — Related Newsline story, June 12, 2006.