The apparel sector has responded to several worrying reports about human rights abuses in its supply chain and consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental and social issues at play when shopping, so the key question is – can apparel brands keep up?

One set of claims are against US fashion brand Ralph Lauren whose Canadian division has been investigated by the country’s Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise. The watchdog was prompted to examine concerns surrounding the use of cotton originating from China’s Xinjiang region, where at least 3,500 textile and garment factories are said to use forced Uyghur labour.

As the complaint procedure continues, it’s worth remembering that Canada’s Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act will come into force in 2024, placing the responsibility to identify and prevent human rights violations within supply chains onto fashion brands, retailers and importers.

Last week, the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) shared a shocking report detailing labour and human rights abuses in Myanmar. A total of 212 cases, affecting 108,000 apparel workers were flagged over the last two years, with the cases linked to 46 global fashion brands and retailers.

While a number of names from across the apparel sector – including UK fashion brand Primark and Japan fashion brand Uniqlo – have already announced their withdrawal from the sourcing destination, this new report says there has been a “significant uptick” in the number of allegations made by garment workers in recent months. The report warned: “Things are getting worse for garment workers – and quickly”.

Swedish fashion brand H&M took decisive action in response to BHRRC’s report, announcing as the report emerged that it would be withdrawing from Myanmar altogether. The news came just days after H&M had previously expressed concerns over alleged labour abuses in garment factories in Myanmar.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

View profiles in store

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData

Submit

UK USA Afghanistan Åland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo Cook Islands Costa Rica Côte d"Ivoire Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati North Korea South Korea Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Réunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and The Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and The South Sandwich Islands Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates US Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Vietnam British Virgin Islands US Virgin Islands Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Kosovo

Industry * Academia & Education Aerospace, Defense & Security Agriculture Asset Management Automotive Banking & Payments Chemicals Construction Consumer Foodservice Government, trade bodies and NGOs Health & Fitness Hospitals & Healthcare HR, Staffing & Recruitment Insurance Investment Banking Legal Services Management Consulting Marketing & Advertising Media & Publishing Medical Devices Mining Oil & Gas Packaging Pharmaceuticals Power & Utilities Private Equity Real Estate Retail Sport Technology Telecom Transportation & Logistics Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Venture Capital

Tick here to opt out of curated industry news, reports, and event updates from Just Style.

Submit and download

Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

In a statement shared with Just Style it said the move would be “gradual” and added the concerns raised in BHRRC’s report would be followed-up where needed.

As sales of clothing – particularly online – seem to be returning to pre-pandemic levels and beyond, it would be easy to assume that fashion consumers are not concerned by these concerning headlines. But as online fashion sales peaked in the UK in the first half of 2023, the figures came with a warning that digital shoppers are becoming more conscious about what they buy. In other words, in the coming months and years ESG is going to be more important than ever.

At the other end of the supply chain, apparel manufacturers are keen to show their ESG credentials and make it clear to brands and retailers – as well as consumers – that their factories can be trusted.

Sri Lanka’s Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) announced that a number of its apparel companies were integrating best practices and creating what it called a “new blueprint” for scalable and sustainable apparel manufacturing.

Plus, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association reiterated its country’s commitment to upholding workplace safety standards and creating a “safe, humane and sustainable” apparel industry.

Going forward fashion brands and retailers will need to keep a close eye on ESG as the consequences for those that don’t will become crystal clear.

It’s been an eventful week in the world of fashion sourcing to say the least and as Just Style’s newest team member I look forward to keeping you up-to-date with how these developments continue to unfold.

Top trending stories on Just Style last week

Myanmar human rights report calls out 46 fashion brands, retailers

A new report suggests 212 cases of labour and human rights violations against 108,000 apparel workers can be linked to 46 global fashion brands and retailers in the past two years.

H&M phasing out Myanmar production on due diligence concerns

In a statement to Just Style following the allegations made against H&M’s operations in Myanmar, the Swedish fashion retailer says it is planning a phased exit from the country.

Sri Lanka’s apparel sector focuses on ESG following economic crisis

Sri Lanka’s apparel industry body Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) reveals a number of its apparel companies are doubling down on ESG-focused innovation.

Canada probes Ralph Lauren over forced labour allegations in China

The Canadian unit of US premium lifestyle brand Ralph Lauren is being probed following allegations of Uyghur forced labour in its supply chains and operations, according to a report by the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE).

How Türkiye’s clothing suppliers are navigating market turbulence

Türkiye’s clothing sector is confident exports will still hit the $40bn mark in the near term, despite world-economy related order softness, thanks to its laser-focus on sustainability, technology and quality.

Signal: high concern for human rights abuses in Myanmar’s apparel industry

Apparel companies are continuing to consider Myanmar’s place in their supply chain, according to GlobalData.

Bangladesh transformation creates ‘culture of safety’ for garment workers

Speaking at a RMG Sustainability Council (RSC) event in Dhaka, Bangladesh’s BGMEA president says the country has created a “culture of safety”.

Spinnova to create fibres from waste with €1.9m research grant

Finnish fibre maker Spinnova has received a research and development (R&D) grant of up to €1.9m ($2.07m) from Business Finland to create fibres from waste.