ETI response to Anti-Slavery International report

The BBC's Today programme has showcased a report by Anti-Slavery International regarding the working conditions of young women producing garments in the Tamil Nadu region of India.

The report, Slavery on the high street: Forced labour in the manufacture of garments for international brands specifically looked at the conditions in the supply chains of Indian textile firms in the region which supply garments to some Western brands. The Today programme showcased compelling stories from young women workers, painting a picture of some of the exploitative working conditions that they face, and highlighting what ETI and a number of our members believe to be issues in the wider supply chain; excessive hours for minimal pay, in conditions that in the extreme, are tantamount to bonded labour.

These issues are not always easy to indentify, and Anti-Slavery International's report raises questions about how reliable traditional audits are in identifying these serious labour rights abuses.

The report also highlights that UK brands are aware of the issues, and have been involved in constructive discussion with other companies and civil society players. ETI has played a lead role in facilitating many of these discussions, hosting an important event in Tamil Nadu, India in March this year which brought local stakeholders, including workers, together with international brands and local government to consider the issue and prepare for joint collaborative action.

This is a challenging labour rights issue, and one that can only be addressed through full engagement of all stakeholders. However, while there have been some initiatives on the ground, this report highlights the need for urgency and a redoubling of efforts to address the working conditions of these women in Tamil Nadu's garment sector.

We continue to work with our retail brands including Marks and Spencer, Tesco and Mothercare, supporting them to work with NGOs and trade unions to develop a comprehensive plan of action to drive out these practices from supply chains. It is only through collaborative action that these issues can be addressed, and ETI, working with our members and global stakeholders, will continue to lead this effort.

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