High street brands fail on living wage
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Only four of Ireland’s top clothing brands can show they’re taking steps to ensure the people who make their products earn enough to meet their basic living needs. A survey of 39 high street clothing retailers, conducted by the Clean Clothes Campaign Ireland, shows the vast majority are failing to live up to promises that garment workers in the developing world are paid a wage they can live on.
Tailored Wages found that half those surveyed had codes of conduct that acknowledge that pay rates should meet workers’ basic needs. But only Zara, Marks & Spencer, Switcher and Tchibo could demonstrate any clear steps towards implementing a living wage for the garment workers that produce for them. And even they have a long way to go before a living wage becomes a reality
The report’s author Anna McMullen said none of Europe’s leading 50 companies yet pays a living wage. “While more brands are aware of the living wage and recognise that it is something to be included in their codes of conduct, for most of the brands surveyed this was as far as they went. With millions of women and men worldwide dependent on the garment industry it is vital that these words are turned into definitive actions sooner rather than later,” said Ms McMullen.
Of the Irish retailers requested to participate, only Penneys shared information on their activities in relation to workers’ wages. Neither Dunnes Stores nor O’Neills sportswear supplied even rudimentary information on codes of conduct or ethical trading policies.
Find out more about the Clean Clothes Campaign HERE.
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