“Exploited workers at UK garment factories ‘robbed’ of £27m since July”, 11 October 2020

Exploited workers in UK garment factories that supply clothing brands have been “robbed” of £27m since July because they are still being systematically underpaid, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

The trade body and Scottish National party MP Lisa … have written to the Home Office urging it to act faster to protect vulnerable workers.

An estimated 10,000 garment workers are being paid £3.50 an hour, compared with the national minimum wage of £8.72…

“This violation of workers’ rights cannot be allowed to continue, and government has a key role to play in this,” the BRC said.

The trade body wants the government to set up a “fit-to-trade” licensing scheme that would better protect workers against forced labour and other mistreatment, as well as ensuring payment of VAT, national insurance and holiday pay, among other entitlements.

A government spokesperson said: “Exploiting vulnerable workers for commercial gain is despicable and we expect businesses to do all they can to tackle abuse and exploitation in their supply chains.