An Under Armor spokesman said the company has launched an urgent investigation. “Under Armor is deeply concerned about an alarming report from one of our supplier’s factories,” they said.
“We expect our factory partners to provide a safe working environment for their employees, and these reports are completely inconsistent with our partner requirements, standards and values.
“Throughout our supply chain, Under Armor requires our partners to comply with all applicable laws and standards, including our Supplier Code of Conduct, which requires all suppliers and subcontractors to treat employees lawfully, ethically and fairly .
In direct response to these reports, Under Armor immediately launched an independent investigation, led by a third-party firm, to thoroughly assess living and working conditions at the Needle Craft factory in Jordan.
“We are firmly committed to taking decisive action and will require Needle Craft to take all necessary steps to correct the issues identified during the investigation.”
A spokesperson for Columbia said the company is “aware of the tragic events related to the death of a worker at our manufacturing partner, Fine Apparel.”
They acknowledged Ms Ackert’s suicide was “devastating” for her family and colleagues, but added: “We are also concerned about allegations of labor breaches in the supply chain at other factories in the region. Our Code of Conduct These alleged actions are prohibited.
“Columbia Sportswear is committed to responsible sourcing and absolutely agrees that violations of our Code of Conduct will not be tolerated.
“We are working with other brands that source from this facility to investigate these allegations. We are working with an independent third party to conduct this investigation and develop a remediation plan.
“In addition, we are partnering with Better Work Jordan, which leads our domestic facility assessment and remediation efforts in Jordan.”
An American Eagle spokesperson revealed that the company learned of the allegations in November and takes them “very seriously,” saying: “We immediately engaged with Needle Craft and are working with the company to implement remedial measures.”
Since then, the company has been “actively monitoring the implementation of these measures through on-site visits to ensure successful compliance with our Supplier Code of Conduct.” American Eagle also participates in Better Work “for ongoing factory monitoring to increase worker engagement and management development training.”
Better Work said in a statement that it was deeply concerned and saddened by Ms Akter’s tragic death and “the numerous reports of violations of workers’ rights occurring at Fine Apparel”.
“Protecting workers from retaliation, upholding and protecting their rights and preventing workplace abuse are fundamental to Better Work’s work and to the ILO’s mission and work,” the report said.
The organization has “increased engagement with management and workers” at Needle Craft. It supports migrant workers by “strengthening the voice and effectiveness of their representatives in union labor committees and grievance mechanisms inside and outside factories, with a focus on preventing gender-based violence and harassment and improving compliance with wages and working hours.” Legislation and mental health’.
It added that the situation in Jordan’s garment industry is “very complex” as the majority of workers are immigrants. It works with the Jordanian government and the country’s industry to “support the development of unified contracts that provide equal rights for migrant workers” [and] Support amending labor laws and imposing penalties for confiscating passports.”
Reflecting on what Fine Apparel employees told him, Ravi said the global apparel industry could learn lessons because stories like this continue to bring shame upon it.
“Customers don’t know the conditions workers are subjected to while making their clothes,” he said. “People leave that responsibility to companies. They buy from companies who think they’re going to do their due diligence and put things in perspective.
“These companies all have these big statements on their websites to show how good they are and what they do with the people who make the clothes. Real life is very different for manufacturing workers.”
Clothing brands that use factories they know use migrant workers must be held accountable, he added.
“Whenever they see migrant workers, it raises a red flag. There are so many people coming from overseas, so many different nationalities from developing countries – what are brands doing to ensure they are not exploited in this way?”
*Name changed to protect identity
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