Primark’s dirty laundry
Things are looking peachy for Primark. The UK’s top retailer recently announced £2.3 billion in annual sales, and is opening new stores across the UK and Europe. So how has Primark managed to prosper during the economic meltdown?
The answer is simple – and totally unacceptable. The company, like many other retailers, cuts down production costs by sourcing its clothing from sweatshop labour overseas.
On Thursday 12th November, War On Want will be at Wood Green in London for the opening of Primark’s latest store, staging a protest against the company’s exploitative labour practices. The protest outside the store will include a washing line full of dirty laundry to remind Primark how their unethical practices harm workers around the world.
If you’re in London on Thursday, join War On Want in letting Primark know that their labour practices are totally unacceptable. If you can’t make it, take a moment to let Primark know exactly how you feel by writing a short message, which will be displayed at the protest. Don’t let Primark get away with it, make your voice heard!
Find out more about the Primark protest and the Love Fashion Hate Sweatshops campaign.
Love Fashion Hate Sweatshops
We love fashion but many clothes we buy in the UK come at a terrible cost. Millions of workers around the world suffer poverty wages and exploitation, producing cheap fashion for our shops.
According to research, workers at factories in Bangladesh making clothes for Primark, Tesco and Asda receive, on average, the equivalent of £19.16 a month. Some are paid only £13.97 a month, far less than the £44.82 needed to escape poverty and hardship. The vast majority live in small, overcrowded shacks, many of which lack even basic amenities.
War on Want is leading the biggest ever call for the government to regulate the business practices of UK retailers to ensure that overseas workers are guaranteed a living wage and decent working conditions.
“We want exploitation-free fashion which makes us look good without feeling bad. This campaign gives people a chance to make a real difference to the lives of workers who produce our clothes. Now is the time for the government to take action.” Ruth Tanner, War on Want
Models in campaign t-shirts and carrying ‘Love Fashion Hate Sweatshops‘ placards launched the campaign at Somerset House on 18th September, minutes before the first catwalk show opened the London Fashion Week.
The initiative is backed by Jo Wood, former wife of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood and Strictly Come Dancing star, as well as by pop singer Little Boots, actors Gael Garcia Bernal and Ashley Jensen, and designer Betty Jackson.
War on Want are asking people to add their names and faces to the campaign. The aim is to have 50,000 people join the call for immediate government action. Add your name (and face) to the campaign – together we can bring an end to sweatshops and ensure the dignity of workers everywhere!
