Is Primark really ethical? Garment workers tell us what they think!

In response to media reports of terrible conditions in their supplier factories Primark launched their "Ethical Primark" website, aimed at reassuring their consumers that they are an ethical company. When Shuma Sakar, a Bangladesh worker producing Primark clothes, and Shahida Begum from the the National Garment Workers Federation in Bangladesh came to visit Labour Behind the Label in the UK we asked them what they thought of Primark's claims....this is their response......

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Primak
• ethical
• fashion
• consumerism
• sweatshops
• cheap
• garment
• workers

[narusasuism]

@bubbles10132 You believe that there is nothing is wrong with this, yet you commented on "The Most Hated Family in America" stating that you found THEM disgusting for enforcing corruption and oppression. Bit hypocritical, dont you agree?

[bubbles10132]

I think there is nothing wrong with child labor.

[ButherLi55ett]

@photomemento If profit is their only true motive (which I think is correct) how can they 'accept their moral responsibility'? You cannot have a 'nice capitalism'. They system prohibits it.

[ButherLi55ett]

@leedsgreennorth 'ethical consumption' is commerical propaganda to be fair and just more bullshit from the bosses. Goods and services made for peoples needs not profit more like.

[ButherLi55ett]

@christianocrew Why are you coming to the bosses defence? Are you a boss? Yes, christianocrew, the proles should be so happy to be working in daddy's factory eh. How lucky the working class are.

[impi0088]

What right does primark and lots of other highstreet clothing stores think they have to treat other people the way they do? For their own disgusting greed and selfishness they think they can get away with treating people like this, and they have for years. It makes me sick. We don't even need half the clothes they sell. Western culture is grossly consumerist and greedy and at the cost of others,not a pretty sight.

[DaneVincentVid]

@christianocrew Most people don't or aren't educated enough about the subject. Boycotts can and do work if you keep at it but your a defeatist so you won't understand the activist point of view. If people had your attitude about everything then nothing would change!

[photomemento]

It's not ignorant to boycott commercially exploitive companies, like Primark, Tescos and Asda. it's the only way to get them to respect their suppliers. Only if these companies experience a negative impact on their sales will they accept their moral responsibility. Profit is their only true motive

[christianocrew]

Its ignorant to think that that boycotting a company because youre not happy with their ethical responsibilities will actually make a difference. Were still in a recession, the cost of consumer products matter more now than ever before. You think range rover owners care about the environment? If they do why arent we all driving IQ or C1 etc.. we have a choice in what we by and to make an informed decision based on that

[leedsgreennorth]

It is ignorant to say that it does not matter as long as we employ someone else to do the dirty work. Western organisations encourage socially irresponsible behaviour in others. Through things such as cheap export, stack them high sell them low. Attitudes need to change across the globe and anyone who cares, in my opinion, is an ethical consumer. People need to become more aware.