shoe brands urged to tackle forced labour at tanneries and ranches
by：Glory Footwear
2020-05-06
London, June 23
Thomson Reuters Foundation-
Leading footwear and designer clothing brands, including Nike and Puma, have made progress in addressing forced labor in the leather supply chain, but more measures can be taken in leather factories and pastures that provide leather, according to a study.
It is particularly concerned about Baili International, China\'s largest footwear retailer, that the company failed to provide any information about its leather supply chain in a survey and that it has not promised to improve.
The survey of five footwear and five luxury clothing brands was done by KnowTheChain, a resource for businesses and investors looking to solve the problem of forced labor in the supply chain.
It says information from 10 companies is often rarely revealed how
In addition to reviewing suppliers
They address the risk of forced labor in countries that produce leather, process leather and make leather products.
But the company particularly praised Adidas, saying the German sportswear maker has trained leather factories in Taiwan and China on how to deal with the risk of forced labor, measures are being taken to address the risks of hidden suppliers in Brazil and Paraguay.
Belle, which also sells its own and international brands, cannot immediately reach out for comment.
The study said that for many years, the harsh working conditions in the leather supply chain have been well documented, and evidence from countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and India shows abuse, including child labor.
It pointed out that workers in Chinese shoe factories
The world\'s largest footwear producer
According to reported forced to work overtime.
Penalties for those who refuse include suspension of allowances or demotion.
The study says forced labor is a major problem in Brazil, the world\'s largest animal farm.
In the country of production, young people, after being brought to the plantation by labor brokers, end up in debt bondage.
\"We believe that in our case study, all companies are either sourcing from Brazil or producing leather products from China, so, we know that countries with the greatest risk of forced labor will also face this risk. \"
However, the company says the footwear brand has made progress in general, partly because of increased scrutiny.
Nike, the largest of five footwear companies, has been praised for its leadership in disclosing information about supply chain employees.
The study also highlights the grievance mechanisms Puma has set up for workers from Chinese suppliers, including SMS services and grievance mechanisms established through popular social media networks.
KnowTheChain called on the company to join forces to eliminate forced labor in the leather supply chain and suggested that they cooperate with leather users in industries outside of industries such as meat companies and in the automotive industry. (
Report by Emma batahe;
Edited by Astrid Zweynert @ azweynert. ;
Please thank the Thomson Reuters Foundation, a Thomson Reuters charity that covers humanitarian news, women\'s rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change. Visit news. trust.
See more stories. )
Thomson Reuters Foundation-
Leading footwear and designer clothing brands, including Nike and Puma, have made progress in addressing forced labor in the leather supply chain, but more measures can be taken in leather factories and pastures that provide leather, according to a study.
It is particularly concerned about Baili International, China\'s largest footwear retailer, that the company failed to provide any information about its leather supply chain in a survey and that it has not promised to improve.
The survey of five footwear and five luxury clothing brands was done by KnowTheChain, a resource for businesses and investors looking to solve the problem of forced labor in the supply chain.
It says information from 10 companies is often rarely revealed how
In addition to reviewing suppliers
They address the risk of forced labor in countries that produce leather, process leather and make leather products.
But the company particularly praised Adidas, saying the German sportswear maker has trained leather factories in Taiwan and China on how to deal with the risk of forced labor, measures are being taken to address the risks of hidden suppliers in Brazil and Paraguay.
Belle, which also sells its own and international brands, cannot immediately reach out for comment.
The study said that for many years, the harsh working conditions in the leather supply chain have been well documented, and evidence from countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh and India shows abuse, including child labor.
It pointed out that workers in Chinese shoe factories
The world\'s largest footwear producer
According to reported forced to work overtime.
Penalties for those who refuse include suspension of allowances or demotion.
The study says forced labor is a major problem in Brazil, the world\'s largest animal farm.
In the country of production, young people, after being brought to the plantation by labor brokers, end up in debt bondage.
\"We believe that in our case study, all companies are either sourcing from Brazil or producing leather products from China, so, we know that countries with the greatest risk of forced labor will also face this risk. \"
However, the company says the footwear brand has made progress in general, partly because of increased scrutiny.
Nike, the largest of five footwear companies, has been praised for its leadership in disclosing information about supply chain employees.
The study also highlights the grievance mechanisms Puma has set up for workers from Chinese suppliers, including SMS services and grievance mechanisms established through popular social media networks.
KnowTheChain called on the company to join forces to eliminate forced labor in the leather supply chain and suggested that they cooperate with leather users in industries outside of industries such as meat companies and in the automotive industry. (
Report by Emma batahe;
Edited by Astrid Zweynert @ azweynert. ;
Please thank the Thomson Reuters Foundation, a Thomson Reuters charity that covers humanitarian news, women\'s rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change. Visit news. trust.
See more stories. )
