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Company Response

12 Oct 2023

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

[...]

Tianjin Fashion Milestone Garment:

    • Allegations from March to October 2022: Allegations from March to October 2022: We were aware of some of these issues through our previous partnership with SMART Myanmar. An investigation by SMART through worker interviews found excessive working time and that they needed further information around general leave entitlement. However, none of the other allegations could be confirmed. A remediation plan to address these issues, along with the installation of a filter machine and large tank for drinking water, was put in place. SMART Myanmar’s remediation is ongoing and we remain in touch with SMART and the factory for oversight on the progress of this.
    • Allegations from February 2023: Our final handover from this factory took place in July 2023, and our audit in March 2023 did not reveal any instances of wage cuts or issues with worker safety. However, we will follow up as part of our exit process and work on any remediation required to oversee that workers are paid their legal dues.
  • Myanmar Knitting Factory: Our final handover of products from this factory was August 2022 and while we remained in contact with the factory after the handover forseveral months, our due diligence in the factory has ended and the allegations raised took place outside of this period of time.
  • Myanmar Guotai Huasheng Glory Fashion: We were made aware of these allegations via social media in July 2023 and visited the site to investigate. Our team’s investigation found no indication of these issues, however we welcome any further information that would help us progress our investigation.
  • Gainway International: We’re pleased to report that this issue was settled without the need for any involvement by us or our partners.
  • Huabo Times: We formally exited this factory in October 2021, at which point our business relationship and our due diligence with them ended. We cannot comment on the issues raised in the allegations connected with this site as they took place after this point in time.

[The full response is attached]

Part of the following timelines

Myanmar: Workers at Tianjin Fashion Milestone garment factory report workers' rights violations incl. forced overtime without pay, denial of leave & wage cuts; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Garment workers at Tianjin Fashion Milestone garment factory report forced overtime & excessive targets; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Pregnant garment workers at Tianjin Fashion Milestone factory allegedly denied maternity leave; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Garment workers report unsafe working conditions, unfair dismissals, unpaid wages & verbal abuse at BESTSELLER supplier; incl. co. response

Myanmar: Over 200 garment workers allegedly dismissed from factory due to cancelled orders; incl. co. response

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

Myanmar: Eight hundred workers at garment factory protest for wage increase; incl. co. responses

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 Myanmar Guotai Huasheng Glory factory report multiple labour rights abuses; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Garment workers report discrimination against LGBTQ+ community at Myanmar Knitting factory; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Garment workers report being robbed due to lack of ferries to transport workers after night shifts; Incl. co. responses