I share the concerns highlighted by Transform Trade; exploitation in the garment industry has been an open secret for years.
Indeed, back in 2019, the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee highlighted that the UK’s largest fashion retailers had “chased the cheap needle around the planet”, commissioning production in countries with little trade union representation, and where poverty pay and conditions are standard for garment workers, most of whom are women.
We owe it to these workers to ensure that UK businesses are not profiteering from their misery. I therefore welcome the Government’s stance on the need to prevent labour rights abuses in supply chains and its commitment to working with international partners and businesses to tackle them.
One proposal is to create a ‘Fashion Watchdog’, to look out for workers in the garment industry and to keep businesses on the straight and narrow.
I have therefore submitted the following written question:
‘To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of creating a fashion watchdog to tackle exploitation in the supply chains of clothing manufacturers.’
In the meantime, I welcome that in the recently published Trade Strategy, the Government announced a review of its approach to Responsible Business Conduct policy.
This review will consider the effectiveness of the current UK regime and alternative means of supporting responsible business practices, including consideration of mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence laws and import controls on goods made by forced labour. I understand that the Department for Business and Trade will engage regularly with stakeholders to develop findings and provide updates.
More broadly, I am pleased that through the Employment Rights Bill, the Government will establish the Fair Work Agency, which will have the power to take strong action against rogue employers that exploit their workers in the UK. This will strengthen powers against modern slavery and labour abuses here at home.