ID :
40106
Mon, 01/12/2009 - 09:36
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/40106
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UK fashion major in storm over hiring illegal Indians
Prasun Sonwalkar
London, Jan 11 (PTI) Illegal immigrants from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan have been employed at below minimum wages by a supplier of the British fashion major Primark, raising a storm over business ethics.
Details of the illegal and unethical practice were
discovered in an undercover probe by the Observer and the BBC.
The investigation focused on Manchester's textile
industry and in particular TNS Knitwear, which supplies 20,000
garments to the firm every week. Fashion Waves, a supplier
used by TNS, was also probed, reports said.
Primark announced that it had launched an inquiry into
reports that the Manchester-based garment firm TNS Knitwear
may have breached key employment and immigration laws.
Breaches of the legislation could lead to fines of up to
10,000 pounds for each illegal worker and potential
prosecution for tax evasion and employment law abuses.
TNS Knitwear is run by Pakistan-born Zahid Sarwar, a
British citizen. The company denied any wrongdoing.
This is the second time in seven months that Primark has
found itself in a controversy over business practices. In June
last year, it had dropped three Indian suppliers for allegedly
sub-contracting work to firms using child labour.
In the latest case, the workers from India, Pakistan and
Afghanistan, were caught by an undercover journalist on a
hidden camera being paid 3 pounds an hour, which is just over
half the minimum wage of 5.73 pounds.
The workers were employed for 12-hour days, seven days a
week. Many of the garments made by them ended up two miles
away in one of the retail giant's largest and most profitable
stores in Manchester's bustling Market Street.
A Primark spokesman said that the issue was now a matter
for the authorities.
"Primark was informed this week that one of the UK
factories from which it buys some knitwear has allegedly
broken a number of UK employment, tax and immigration laws,"
he said.
"Primark is conducting its own investigation. Once that
investigation is completed, it will decide how to proceed."
Meanwhile, Primark has handed all relevant information
passed to the company over to the relevant enforcement
agencies so they may take action.
"We are extremely concerned about the very serious
allegations made against our supplier TNS Knitwear and against
TNS's unauthorised subcontractor, Fashion Waves," it said. PTI
CORR
London, Jan 11 (PTI) Illegal immigrants from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan have been employed at below minimum wages by a supplier of the British fashion major Primark, raising a storm over business ethics.
Details of the illegal and unethical practice were
discovered in an undercover probe by the Observer and the BBC.
The investigation focused on Manchester's textile
industry and in particular TNS Knitwear, which supplies 20,000
garments to the firm every week. Fashion Waves, a supplier
used by TNS, was also probed, reports said.
Primark announced that it had launched an inquiry into
reports that the Manchester-based garment firm TNS Knitwear
may have breached key employment and immigration laws.
Breaches of the legislation could lead to fines of up to
10,000 pounds for each illegal worker and potential
prosecution for tax evasion and employment law abuses.
TNS Knitwear is run by Pakistan-born Zahid Sarwar, a
British citizen. The company denied any wrongdoing.
This is the second time in seven months that Primark has
found itself in a controversy over business practices. In June
last year, it had dropped three Indian suppliers for allegedly
sub-contracting work to firms using child labour.
In the latest case, the workers from India, Pakistan and
Afghanistan, were caught by an undercover journalist on a
hidden camera being paid 3 pounds an hour, which is just over
half the minimum wage of 5.73 pounds.
The workers were employed for 12-hour days, seven days a
week. Many of the garments made by them ended up two miles
away in one of the retail giant's largest and most profitable
stores in Manchester's bustling Market Street.
A Primark spokesman said that the issue was now a matter
for the authorities.
"Primark was informed this week that one of the UK
factories from which it buys some knitwear has allegedly
broken a number of UK employment, tax and immigration laws,"
he said.
"Primark is conducting its own investigation. Once that
investigation is completed, it will decide how to proceed."
Meanwhile, Primark has handed all relevant information
passed to the company over to the relevant enforcement
agencies so they may take action.
"We are extremely concerned about the very serious
allegations made against our supplier TNS Knitwear and against
TNS's unauthorised subcontractor, Fashion Waves," it said. PTI
CORR
