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