abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Company Response

12 Oct 2023

Inditex's response to allegations of abuses in Myanmar garment factories - Nov 2023 update

[...]

We would like to inform that after performing an investigation process, we have not encountered any evidence that these factories (G&B Manufacturing Garment, Qi Cai (Myanmar), Hen Bo Myanmar, Mei Jie Clothing & Accessories and Myanmar York) are part of our supply chain. This is applicable also to the factory Myanmar Jiale Fashion which was part of our supply chain in the past but is not part of our supply chain since some months ago.

Regarding the post in media referred to factory Lucky Fortune, we would like to comment that an investigation on the ground was carried out where it was not identified any evidence of links with military after the military coup for the production of uniforms. In terms of the WCC elections were carried out last January 2023 under the guidance of Smart Myanmar and no issues were identified in this regard.

In the case of Sanyuan Oversea, please kindly note that factory is under a Corrective Action Plan. While we have checked that overtime payments were done properly and that this overtime was performed on a voluntary basis, we keep monitoring the factory to ensure that overtime will be performed as stipulated by our Code of Conduct for Manufacturers and Suppliers. Furthermore, we would like to inform you that no restriction to access to toilets was identified.

We would like to share also that this factory identified the selling of clothes before water festival by some supervisors without the factory approval, practice that has been banned as it was not allowed by the factory. As additional information, we would like to inform that the factory created a fund to support workers with special circumstances. The using of this fund does not imply the payment of any interest rate on the amount used.

In the case of Zong Hong Garment, despite the fact that it was not identified any evidence on forced overtime during our investigation we would like to inform you that the factory is also included under a Corrective Action Plan to ensure that overtime will be implemented within the stipulations in our Code of Conduct for Manufacturers and Suppliers.

Finally, and with respect to the factory Huabo Times, we would like to inform you that after the news appeared in media several investigations on the ground were carried out. We would like to share that it was identified an isolated behavior related to one supervisor for which the factory took the proper actions to avoid the using of any improper language against workers. With respect to the union fees, it was identified that these are collected by the union not by the factory and no evidence of link with management was identified. As in previous two cases, the factory is under a Corrective Action Plan where a close monitoring is performed to ensure, that the factory performs overtime within the limits established by the Inditex Code of Conduct for Manufacturers and Suppliers.

[...]

[The full response is attached]

Part of the following timelines

Myanmar: Garment workers report mandatory overtime, excessive production targets & verbal abuse at factory; incl. co. response

Myanmar: Garment workers report union busting tactics at garment factory; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Garment factory allegedly calls in 'thugs' to beat workers & fire them; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Workers at Hen Bo garment factory report multiple labour rights abuses incl. denial of medical leave & unhygienic working conditions; incl. co. response

Myanmar: Workers at Huabo Times factory allegedly physically & verbally abused by supervisor; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Women garment workers face safety risks on way home from overtime shifts; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Garment workers at Lucky Fortune factory reportedly face frequent military visits as they manufacture their clothes; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Garment workers at alleged H&M and ZARA supplier denied social security benefits incl. medical treatment; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Garment workers reportedly forced to quiet if they refuse overtime; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Garment workers allegedly face labour rights abuses incl. denial of maternity leave & mandatory overtime; Incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Garment workers at alleged Stradivarius supplier report multiple labour rights violations incl. unsanitary working conditions & mandatory overtime; Incl. co. response

Myanmar: Workers at Sanyuan Oversea factory report unpaid overtime & verbal abuse; Incl. co. response

Myanmar: Garment workers at Zong Hong garment factory report several labour rights violations; Incl. co. responses