The campaign group is joined by four consumers who claim they purchased garments from LS&Co based on misleading claims that convinced them the denim specialist was an “ethical brand”.
The group claims LS&Co made statements about its “responsible production and respect for workers’ rights”, including the right to freely join a trade union.
In 2025, CCC launched a campaign focused on stories of worker repression at a factory in Türkiye, Özak Tekstil, which was producing garments exclusively for LS&Co.
The Worker Rights Consortium claims the manufacturer “illegally fired” 400 workers for protesting over wages and “abusive treatment” in 2023.
Özak Tekstil could not be reached for comment when Just Style first covered the allegations.
Funda Bakiş, who was employed at the supplier for four years, claimed: “We were laid off because we used our right to organise. At home, I live with seven siblings. At some point, we could not even meet our most basic needs. We went through very difficult times with my family. We asked Levi’s for help, but they did not hear our voice.”
CCC says LS&Co’s own code of conduct states that these violations of worker rights and freedoms should have been remedied.
Patrick van Klink, one of the consumers participating in the CCC lawsuit, added: “Levi’s gave me the impression that they care about social responsibility. Knowing what happened in Türkiye, I feel misled and don’t feel proud of my purchase anymore. Levi’s should stay true to its promises.”
LS&Co's previous response to the allegations
When these allegations first emerged, a LS&Co spokesperson told Just Style,: “At LS&Co, we have a longstanding commitment to supporting safe, productive workplaces for workers, and we take any allegations of efforts to curtail freedom of association extremely seriously. That said, the Workers Rights Consortium report on the Özak situation contains several mischaracterisations and omits a number of relevant details.
“Over the course of the labour unrest, we were in frequent contact with the factory management to firmly express our support for the lawful expression of workers’ voices and workers’ right to freedom of association. After several months of engaging to find solutions and wanting to ensure there is no further job loss, we decided to continue working with Özak on a conditional basis that depends on management’s fulfilment of a detailed remediation plan that addresses freedom of association, working hours, and health and safety.
“We reduced our production orders to align with the facility’s capacity and are conducting regular visits to the facility to ensure compliance with the remediation plan. We will remain committed to making sure factory management observes and upholds the rights and benefits for the workers per local labour laws and our Supplier Code of Conduct.”
CCC says it is now waiting for its first hearing date in court, although it emphasised that it was willing to re-engage in constructive dialogue with LS&Co.
“Dutch law protects consumers against misleading claims. In this case, there’s a clear contrast between Levi’s statements and its response to a concrete violation of their own code of conduct and international labour standards,” added Emma Vogt, campaigner at CCC.
“From our perspective, Levi’s remedying the situation for the workers in Türkiye is the best way to rectify their false advertising.”
LS&Co had not responded to Just Style’s request for comment at the time of writing.
