[UK] Retail body increases demands for government action on worker exploitation

Months after it called for urgent action to tackle worker exploitation in the country’s textiles industry in a letter issued to the UK government, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reports that there has been no “significant action… to bring this injustice to an end.” In a follow-up to its July enquiry, the BRC reportedly says there has been no evidence to suggest any progress by authorities in looking at illegally low pay and poor conditions at garment factories.

The BRC is again backed in its efforts by fashion brands, NGOs and MPs. The Home Office has described the exploitation of vulnerable workers as “despicable”, in a conversation with the BBC. The Home Office insisted it will clamp down on perpetrators only when specific instances are identified by its specialist taskforce which is led by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority. Eco Textile News reports.

Months after it called for urgent action to tackle worker exploitation in the country’s textiles industry in a letter issued to the UK government, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reports that there has been no “significant action… to bring this injustice to an end.” In a follow-up to its July enquiry, the BRC reportedly says there has been no evidence to suggest any progress by authorities in looking at illegally low pay and poor conditions at garment factories.

The BRC is again backed in its efforts by fashion brands, NGOs and MPs. The Home Office has described the exploitation of vulnerable workers as “despicable”, in a conversation with the BBC. The Home Office insisted it will clamp down on perpetrators only when specific instances are identified by its specialist taskforce which is led by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority. Eco Textile News reports.