Boohoo’s ongoing independent investigation into its UK supply chain
following reports of poor working conditions at factories in Leicester
“can’t be fully independent”, according to the Ethical Trading Initiative
(ETI).
The ETI said it has declined to respond to a questionnaire as part of
the public call for evidence relating to the review because it doesn’t
believe the enquiry – which is being commissioned and paid for by Boohoo –
because it doesn’t believe the fast-fashion company is adequately
responding to the issue.
“Firstly, we do not believe that an enquiry commissioned by boohoo and
paid for by boohoo can be fully independent. We would expect a wide number
of stakeholders who understand the complexities of the UK garment industry
to be involved in a truly independent enquiry. Many of those stakeholders
have been working for some time to develop positive changes to the
industry,” the ETI said in a statement.
“Secondly, the narrow questions in the survey appear to be designed to
focus us on individual factories and suppliers, rather than looking at the
business practices that feed this environment. We are concerned that no
reference is made to the responsibilities of business set out in the UN
Guiding Principles on Business and Human rights which look at the broader
influence of a business than just its legal obligations.
“Thirdly, there is no mention of the other locations where boohoo face
criticism, such as Burnley.”
Boohoo to provide update on investigation next month
In July, an undercover investigation by The Sunday Times found that
certain factories in Leicester that supply clothing to Boohoo were forcing
some employees to work while sick with Covid-19 and paying just 3.50 pounds
per hour – the minimum wage is 8.72 pounds for those aged 25.
Earlier this week, home secretary Priti Patel wrote to Boohoo urging the
retailer to “step up” and ensure its suppliers are “protected and
remediated” following allegations of poor working conditions.
In a letter to Boohoo CEO John Lyttle, Patel wrote: “I am concerned that
your response to recent reports of labour exploitation in your supply
chains appears to be focused on terminating contracts with suppliers found
to have breached your code of conduct, rather than on protecting vulnerable
workers.
“I would expect Boohoo to work with its suppliers to ensure that workers
are protected and remediated.”
She added: “It is now more important than ever before that businesses
step up and take responsibility for conditions in their supply chain.”
Boohoo will provide the first update from its investigation alongside
the publication of its half-year results in September.