Allegations of human rights violation against garment workers at the suppliers of several major international fashion retailers have been brought to light in a new report by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC).
Accusations were present among 13 factories that supply or have supplied to at least 15 international fashion brands, according to the report, including the likes of adidas, Bestseller, C&A, H&M, Hugo Boss, J. Crew, Mango, Next, Primark and Under Armour.
The organisation polled 124 union members and labour activists in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia and Sri Lanka for the research, which included interviews with 24 trade union members.
Respondents claimed that they had continued to experience discrimination, assault, threats, false accusations and arrests; many of the factories in question appeared to be utilising Covid-19 as a means for these alleged attempts to suppress any organised efforts.
Additionally, there has been an increase in issues such as intimidation and harassment of trade union members. Around 61 per cent of respondents reported the situation for freedom of association and collective bargaining had ‘got worse’ since the pandemic. 30 per cent of respondents reported an increase in gender-based violence.
BHRRC advocated a statutory framework for human rights and urged governments, companies and suppliers to take measures to ensure freedom of association.
It concluded: “Brands and suppliers are encouraged to enter good-faith dialogue with workers and their representatives through collective bargaining and binding agreements between key stakeholders.”
