The Business and Human Rights Resource Center has released a report that reveals the dark reality that fashion brands around the world are mired in serious human rights violations related to their supply chains.
Ralph Lauren, H&M, Mango, Michael Kors, Coach, Asos and Gucci are among the few brands found to have used forced labor or unsafe working conditions for purposes of theft or discrimination, according to the report. It is said to be included.
Over a nine-month period from January to September 2024, approximately 28 incidents and 36 well-known fashion brands were observed in both the luxury and fast fashion sectors, causing unethical behavior among workers. It turned out that The reason for the large-scale layoffs, unpaid wages, and sudden factory closures could be the decline in the share of buyers experienced during the downturn in the luxury goods market.
The Luentay Philippines factory, which supplies brands such as Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Tapestry, Adidas and Fast Retailing, was one of the factories that underwent a major transformation in May 2024. The factory laid off 2,000 workers, or 60 percent of its workforce. .
Another similar case involves Bangladesh’s Angil Apparel, which supplies brands such as Mango, Asos and River Island. The factory was forced to close due to a lack of orders. While some brands were questioned and claimed to have stopped sourcing from these factories in 2021, the impact on workers was severe.
Following the allegations, many of the brands involved said they had taken steps to address the issues, including conducting audits and terminating relationships with non-compliant suppliers. But critics say these measures are often insufficient and lack transparency.
