UK retailers call for end to labour exploitation

A number of retailers, including Asos, George at Asda, M&S, Matalan, Missguided, Next, River Island and The Very Group, have called on the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, to take urgent action to prevent the exploitation of garment factory workers in the UK.

They have teamed up with MPs and peers, investors, and NGOs on a joint letter, coordinated by the British Retail Consortium, which asks for the introduction of statutory licensing of garment factories to ensure they all meet their legal obligations to employees and are fit to trade.

This letter comes in response to recent reports of workers being paid below the minimum wage, not being supplied with PPE and working in unsafe conditions. It notes that ‘unless action is taken now, thousands more people will likely face exploitation.’

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the British Retail Consortium, says: "The BRC has repeatedly called on government  to take action to prevent labour exploitation in the UK. Recent reports in the media demonstrate the urgent need for action before more workers are needlessly taken advantage of.”

“While there is no silver bullet, licensing is a critical step toward resolving this issue. The public want to know that the clothes they buy have been made by workers who are respected, valued and protected by the law.”

“Our members continue to stand firm against labour exploitation, and we hope the Home Secretary joins us in the fight to build a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry,” she concludes.