ETI responds to Oxfam report on poor conditions in supermarket supply chains

Today, ETI member, Oxfam, launches its Behind the Barcodes campaign looking at supermarket business practices, with a new report, Ripe for Change: Ending human suffering in supermarket supply chains.

Responding, Peter McAllister, Executive Director of ETI, said: “This report highlights the plight of many of those who toil to produce our food. Low wages, poor conditions and discrimination against women are sadly all too common.

“The drivers of these conditions are clear: poor regulation and law enforcement, cost pressures on suppliers, restrictions on workers’ ability to argue for better conditions through unions, and the competitive behaviour of supermarkets.

“If we’re to tackle these inequalities then supermarkets, suppliers and global food and agriculture companies all have a critical role to play, and should begin by examining their own practices and business models.

“But we also need action from governments, both where food is produced and where it is consumed, to make sure proper laws and policies are in place and to create a regulatory environment that rewards responsible business.

“The danger is that unless action is taken, millions of workers and farmers will be condemned to in-work poverty, further fuelling unrest and conflict.”

/ENDS

For more information, please contact Tom Phillips at tom.phillips@eti.org.uk