Primark & Mothercare order probe into exploitation
Primark and Mothercare have launched a probe following media reports of alleged exploitation of workers who make clothes for them.
The two retail chains responded after the Guardian newspaper reported that workers were being paid as little as 13 pence an hour during 48-hour weeks, while some were being forced to work excessive overtime.A Primark spokesman said it took the accusations “very seriously” and would investigate its suppliers, while Mothercare said it would probe its two factories in India.
Other retailers also face allegations after a report by the Guardian in July in which Primark, as well as leading supermarkets Asda and Tesco, were accused of breaching international labour standards in Bangladesh.Garment workers at factories that supply clothing to Primark, Matalan and Gap told The Guardian employers forced them to work as many as 18 hours of overtime per week.
India’s largest ready-made clothing exporter, Gokaldas Export, has confirmed that wages paid to its workers are as low as $2.26 for a nine-hour day.
