Conditions in factories in the UK are becoming a cause for concern since a significant increase of Coronavirus cases in Leicester.
Questions have been emerging over Boohoo’s supply chains and Covid-19 safety measures, since Boohoo had stated that the virus had affected none of its suppliers. Little evidence has shown that Boohoo implemented efficient measures to slow down the spread of Covid-19 and no evidence shows that social distancing measures had been implemented.
Boohoo had made the news for their own record profits during the lockdown… Their workers were permitted to work despite being sick and inefficient personal protective equipment was provided. Boohoo are responsible for putting the lives of workers, their families, and the community in danger.
There have also been reports that the workers making clothes for Boohoo’s Nasty Gal brand could expect to be paid as little as £3.50 an hour. Whereas the national minimum wage for people over 25 years old is £8.72 an hour in the UK.
Boohoo are not taking full responsibility for this exploitation of their workers. They say they will investigate factories and cancel contracts with any that they find have broken the law. Boohoo should be fully aware of how their supply chain runs and it is unacceptable to pass on full accountability to their sub-contractors. They must have known about the current state of their factories, how else can they justify selling items of clothing at such a cheap price. If they did not know, they are then guilty of dereliction and have shown their incapability of running a business and ensuring that their workers are not subjected to modern slavery.
We need more transparency in supply chains of all fast fashion brands. Ask yourselves why prices of clothing are particularly cheap, who made them and at what costs? If we continue to consume without a conscious, workers will continue to suffer.
No Sweat promotes strong trade unions as the solution to exploitation like this. An independent workforce will be able to have the power to fight for their rights of a living wage, decent working conditions and the end of all forms of abuse. Companies
and authorities are clearly are not doing enough to ensure the health and safety of their workers so power should be given to the people to control and prevent any injustice that they face.
Moving forward:
- Those workers that have been exploited should get back-pay to make up their wages up to the legal minimum living wage.
- All workers that have contracted Covid-19 should be given compensation.
- Efficient measures need to be implemented to protect workers and prevent the spread of Covid-19.
- The Health Executive needs to investigate all garment factories in Leicester for improper practices, not just a select few.
- The Government needs to be less complacent and act more efficiently against claims of exploitation in workplaces.
- The Government also needs to provide extra support to those who are willing to risk their lives to be paid less than the living wage to survive.
- Trade unions need to be granted full access to Boohoo’s distribution centre’s and sub-contracted factories.