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31 Jan 2016

Responses by garment brands to our questionnaire on the treatment of Syrian refugees in Turkish supplier factories

Briefing Note

In the past several months, there have been reports of abuse and exploitation of Syrian refugees working in Turkish garment factories.  Allegations include discrimination, pitiful wages, child labour and sexual abuse.

In December 2015, we approached 28 major garment brands with specific questions on how they are dealing with this issue. The questionnaire was developed in consultation with trade unions, the Fair Labor Association (FLA), the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), and local advocates. 

We received responses to the questionnaire from adidas, C&A, Esprit (responded subsequent to the publication of the briefing), Gap (responded subsequent to the publication of the briefing) H&M, Inditex, NEXT, Nike, Otto Group (responded subsequent to the publication of the briefing), Primark, Puma, Tchibo (responded subsequent to the publiciation of the briefing) White Stuff, and KiK.

Arcadia Group, ASOS, BHS, Burberry, Debenhams, HUGO BOSS, Marks & Spencer, New LookSuperdry, s.Oliver (responded subsequent to the publication of the briefing),LC Waikiki (responded subsequent to the publication of the briefing) and VF Corp (responded subsequent to the briefing) declined to respond to the questionnaire, but sent us brief statements setting out their approach to supply chain management and this issue.

Monsoon declined to respond saying they they have only a small number of suppliers in Turkey and therefore felt the information they could provide would not be meaningful.

River Island did not respond. 

Below you can access the responses and non-responses from the companies we approached.

Timeline