? ?
WORLD / Europe
Top UK fashion firms failing poorest workers-report
(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-09-15 06:04
LONDON - Some of Britain's fashion retailers are not doing enough to help
lift workers who make their clothes out of poverty, a report published by
two charities said on Friday.
War on Want and Labour Behind the Label surveyed 34 retailers and said 12
firms and brands "cold-shouldered the only detailed study on the case for
garment employees to receive a living wage."
It said the 12, which included well-known high street brands, deserved
"severe criticism and consumer scepticism."
The charities said the firms failed to accept the need for overseas
garment workers to be paid a "living wage" by their suppliers, had little
or no information available on pay levels, and failed to respond to
questions posed by the authors.
The study called "Let's Clean Up Fashion" was published on the eve of
London Fashion Week.
The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), a broad alliance of firms NGOs and
unions working to ensure that the conditions of workers producing for the
UK market meet or exceed international labour standards, said wages
should always be enough to meet basic needs and to provide some
discretionary income.
Simon McRae, senior campaigns officer for War on Want, said: "This report
exposes retailers' empty rhetoric on ethical treatment for workers who
make their clothes, but remain trapped in poverty.
"The British government must introduce regulation to stop UK companies
exploiting overseas workers."
The study builds on a similar one issued 12 months ago giving firms the
chance to say how they have tried to improve workers' wages and
conditions.
Top World News ?
* Russia parliament approves Zubkov for PM
* Iraq: Revenge sought in sheik's death
* Bush approves gradual troop cuts in Iraq
* Japan launches moon probe
* Eating less meat may slow climate change
Today's Top News ?
* China raises interest rates for 5th time in 2007
* China to bring US to WTO over dispute
* Parliament approves Zubkov for PM
* Japan's leadership race heats up
* Americans skeptical about Iraq policy
Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours
Learn Chinese, Learn Mandarin online, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing, Travel to Tibet
No comments:
Post a Comment