Use licences to end sweatshops, minister urged
FIRMS AND MPS SEND LETTER TO THE HOME SECRETARY
HOME Secretary Priti Patel is being urged to bring in licences in a bid to kick illegal sweatshops out of Leicester’s textiles sector.
Industry leaders have written to Ms Patel asking her to finally fix the few rogue factories which are taking advantage of desperate workers and tarnishing the reputation of reputable garment factories across the city.
More than 90 retailers, MPs and other groups have written urging her to step in.
Some Leicester factories have been accused of exploiting workers, sometimes paying half the legal minimum wage.
Allegations have also emerged of a small number of factories ignoring social distancing rules during the lockdown in the city.
Greedy factory bosses have been blamed for the exploitation, but big fashion chains demanding cheap products have also been accused of failing to take enough notice of what suppliers are doing.
The letter said: “These reports on the terrible working conditions people face in UK garment factories add weight to concerns which have been raised over the past five years by academics and parliamentary committees about the gross underpayment of the national living wage and serious breaches of health and safety law in these workplaces.
“Unless action is taken now, thousands more people will likely face exploitation.”
It said the licensing scheme would ensure workers are paid the national minimum wage and encourage retailers to source clothing locally.
Coordinated by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the letter has been signed by fashion retailers ASOS, Missguided, New Look, Next and River Island, among others.
Boohoo has not signed the letter but on Friday its chief executive John Lyttle sent a letter to Ms Patel in which he backed calls for a licensing scheme.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said: “While there is no silver bullet, licensing is a critical step towards resolving this issue.
“The public want to know that the clothes they buy have been made by workers who are respected, valued and protected by the law.”
Minister for safeguarding, Victoria Atkins, said: “Exploiting vulnerable people for commercial gain is despicable and this Government will not stand for it.
“We expect all companies implicated in these allegations to conduct a full and thorough investigation to ensure their supply chains are free from labour exploitation.
“We have liaised with relevant agencies regarding alleged working practices at garment factories in Leicester.
“We await the results of these investigations.”
Boohoo had more than £1 billion wiped from its share value in two days after an undercover Sunday Times reporter took a job at a factory which they said was paying well below the minimum wage, while allegedly making items destined for the huge online brand.
Quiz said it has also dropped one of its suppliers in Leicester.
A DOG-friendly cafe has been launched by a former Crufts winner and judge.
Poochies of Packington held its grand opening event, Sausage Saturday, in its High Street home this month.
The cafe is the idea of Bev Smith who said: “I’ve bred, shown and owned border collies for over 30 years and am also a former Crufts Best of Breed winner and judge.
“I decided to open Poochies as it would be a way of sharing my love of dogs and cake.”
Bev said she has been working hard throughout lockdown to prepare the cafe.
Poochies can accommodate 10 people and their pups inside and about eight outside.
The menu for humans includes breakfast options and a lunch menu. There is also a canine menu.
Pups can enjoy sausages and gravy bones or a canine high tea, featuring bone-shaped sandwiches, cheese squares, sliced sausages, gravy bones, a bowl of water and a small tennis ball to take home.
The canine high tea must be booked 24 hours in advance.