Primark are the latest high street store to launch an investigation following allegations that they use unethical labour.
A report by the guardian newspaper in July claimed that stores such as Primark, Asda and Tesco were breaching international labour standards in Bangladesh in order to keep up with the fast fashion trend.
Gokaldas Export, which supplies brands including Mothercare, H&M and Marks and Spencers confirmed to the newspaper, that wages paid to factory workers were as low as £1.13 for a nine-hour shift. This fails to meet their basic needs and falls short of the minimum international labour standards set out by the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) - a code of conduct which sets out basic rights for employees across the supply chain.
Marks & Spencer, Mothercare, Gap and Primark are all members of the ETI and are supposed to adhere to it's terms.
The report highlights that these stores often unknowingly break the trade guidelines in their desperation to keep up with demand for speedy fashion turn around.
"When we speak to the workers, they tell us all they want is to be treated like human beings. They need a living wage to live in dignity, to get running water, to get a better education for their children," said KP Gopinath, the director of Cividep, an Indian workers' rights group to the guardian.
John Hilary from War on Want said: “Exploitation of workers in developing countries such as India is standard practice for British retailers right across the spectrum. This just underlines the urgent need for Gordon Brown to step in now and stop these abuses once and for all."
Representatives for Gap, Primark, Mothercare, H&M and Marks & Spencer have told the newspaper that they take these allegations extremely seriously and are working to resolve the issue. Matalan said its suppliers paid above the minimum wage for Bangalore.
Caz Moss- Female First
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