Several of the UK’s largest retailers have demanded answers from major clothing companies Under Armor and Columbia over allegations of forced labor in their supply chains.
Marks and Spencer, Next, John Lewis, Harrods and JD Sports have asked US companies for information about the suicide of an abused worker at a factory in Jordan. I investigation.
According to a report from Jordan’s Labor Ministry, the British chain contacted the brands after learning of the death of 21-year-old Bangladeshi woman Tureza Akter in November. Tureza Akter is a Bangladeshi woman who was abused at a Fine Apparel factory.
Ms Ackert’s family claimed she was physically and verbally “tortured” by a supervisor at the factory, where sexual harassment was also said to be common.
Migrant workers at the factory have been subjected to “dehumanizing” conditions, often working 16 hours a day, seven days a week, for lower than expected wages, sources said.
Their passports were allegedly withheld by management, although Needle Craft, the manufacturing group that runs the factory, disputed this.
The two fashion brands are awaiting the results of an independent investigation into Fine Apparel, which also makes clothing for major US company American Eagle.
A spokesman for Marks & Spencer told I: “We take any allegations of this nature very seriously and remain in close communication with our third-party brand partners as they investigate.”
The retailer has ensured that the Colombian clothing it sells is not made in Jordan, where clear cases of forced labor in garment factories have been exposed numerous times in recent years.
“No Columbia Sportswear Company products currently sold on M&S.com carry the Jordan COO [certificate of origin],” the spokesperson said.
A representative for Next, which sells Under Armor and Columbia merchandise, confirmed the company has been in contact with both companies.
They said the next step would be to await the results of the investigation before making any decisions about the brand.
John Lewis and JD Sports, which sell clothing from the two brands, and Harrods, which sells Under Armor products, are also wary of the findings. I Understood.
Retailers Sports Direct, Foot Asylum and Cotswold Outdoor also sell goods produced by US companies. They did not respond to questions about the charges and any potential actions they might take.
Sophie DeSales, sustainability policy adviser at the British Retail Consortium, said its members “maintain the highest ethical standards in their operations and supply chains, including the welfare of their staff, and expect the same from the brands they sell. Point. The allegations made are currently being investigated to prevent such serious issues from happening again.”
Concerns about alleged exploitative practices at Fine Apparel were first raised by I go through The labor behind the labelan organization campaigning on behalf of garment workers around the world.
Dominique Muller, its head of policy, said: “Retailers have a responsibility to ensure their products are not made with forced labour.” She called on M&S, Next and other stores to work together to stop “a system in which Jordanian workers Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment”.
Ms. Mueller demanded “swift action from Under Armour, Columbia and American Eagle, including transparent compensation to Tureza Akter’s family.”
“All suspected exploited workers need to be contacted directly to ensure their safety, return of their passports and, upon request, their paid travel home and compensation for lost earnings.
“Brands that allow exploitation and abuse to occur in one production region are likely to see these abuses throughout their supply chain and should be held accountable.”
She added that Jordanian authorities must ensure that the alleged abuse at the Needlecraft facility does not happen again.
Impact International, a London-based think tank focusing on human rights, said, I‘s investigation shines’Focusing on working conditions within global supply chains“.
“Manufacturers need to focus on rigorous, independent audits and worker empowerment,” it said. “Regular audits by third parties will ensure transparency and compliance with ethical standards, while keeping workers informed of their rights, and safe reporting channels will create an environment where abuse can be reported and addressed without fear of retaliation.”
Under Armor said it was “deeply concerned by these alarming reports” which were “completely inconsistent” with its required standards. The statement noted that all suppliers and subcontractors must treat employees “lawfully, ethically and fairly”, adding: “We are firmly committed to taking decisive action.”
Columbia University said Ms Ackert’s “tragic” death was “devastating” for her family and colleagues. It added that alleged breaches of its code of conduct “will not be tolerated” and that a “remediation plan” is being developed.
American Eagle said it takes the allegations “very seriously.” It “immediately” worked with Needle Craft in November to “implement remedial actions” and is “actively monitoring” those actions through site visits.
A manager at Needle Craft said its team was “deeply saddened” by Ms Ackert’s death and offered her “deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones”.
He added that the organization was determined to “create a safe, respectful and supportive environment for everyone, free of fear and intimidation”.
The workers’ passports will only be retained for visa renewal, he said. To improve standards, the company stepped up supervisor training and recruited welfare officers and psychologists.
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