M&S and Next seek factory ‘abuse’ answers

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Several of the UK’s biggest retailers have demanded answers from major clothing firms Under Armour and Columbia about allegations of forced labour in their supply chains.

Marks and Spencer, Next, John Lewis, Harrods and JD Sports have asked the US companies for information on the suicide of a mistreated worker at a factory in Jordan, revealed by an i investigation.

The British chains contacted the brands after learning about the death in November of Tureza Akter (inset), a 21-year-old Bangladeshi woman who had been abused at the Fine Apparel plant, according to a Jordanian labour ministry report.

Ms Akter’s family claim she was physically and verbally “tortured” by a supervisor at the factory, where sexual harassment is also said to be common.

Migrant labourers have been kept in “dehumanising” conditions, sources claim, often working 16-hour days, seven days a week, for less money than expected.

The two fashion brands are awaiting the results of an independent investigation into Fine Apparel, which also makes clothes for the major US firm American Eagle. An M&S spokesperson told i: “We take any allegations of this nature very seriously and remain in close communication with our third-party brand partner as they carry out their investigation.” A representative for Next confirmed that it has been in contact with both companies.

John Lewis and JD Sports, which sell clothes from both brands, and Harrods, which stocks Under Armour, are also on alert for the investigation’s findings, i understands.

The retailers Sports Direct, Foot Asylum and Cotswold Outdoor also sell items made by the US firms. They did not respond to questions about the allegations and any potential action they may take.

Under Armour said it was “deeply concerned by the alarming reports”, and Columbia said alleged violations of its code of conduct “cannot be tolerated”. American Eagle said it takes the allegations “very seriously”.