It is not happening often that Polish companies are successful and present on markets in different European countries. The brand ‘Reserved’ is known and liked not only in Poland but also Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary, Ukraine, Baltic Republics etc. If you want this success to be followed by greater responsibility – join the action of Clean Clothes Poland asking LPP (owner of ‘Reserved’) questions on labour standards in their garment production.
Global garment market is dominated by large companies and retailers. Their success would not be possible without relocation of the majority of their production to less developed countries with lower labour standards. Over 60% of world’s garment production is taking place in Asia (especially in China, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka) where over a million workers is employed in garment factories. Relocation of the clothes production to these countries enabled price reduction at cost of not only the lower quality but also labour rights of garment workers. The main problems they face are: extensive, often forced and not paid, overtime work, lack of contract and precarious forms of employment, lack of social insurance, violation of health and safety regulations (i.e. not using protective clothing, exposure to toxic substances, lack of fire protection, blocked emergency exits, etc), lack of living wages, violated freedom of association, sexual harassment, psychological abuse, work under tremendous stress.
In order to address the above mentioned problems as well as the expectations of consumer many international garment companies introduce various mechanisms improving the implementation of labor standards. The first step is usually increasing the transparency of the company and its accountability towards the consumers. More and more companies are informing about their countries of production, labour standards in supply chain and corporate social responsibility tools (i.e. codes of conduct, cooperation with trade unions, independent social audits).
Unfortunately despite its market success, LPP (owner of the brands: ‘Reserved’, ‘Cropp’, ‘House’, ‘Mohito’ and ‘Promostars’) still has not made a visible effort to monitor and improve working conditions in its supplying factories. For the past 2 years
Clean Clothes Poland, national platform of Clean Clothes Campaign, has been calling LPP to be more transparent and take responsibility for working conditions of girls and women producing their clothes. We are convinced, that unless the LPP hears the voice of its consumers it will not take visible steps to introduce corporate social responsibility principles in the company and supply chain.
TRANSLATION OF THE LETTER:
To: Marek Piechocki, Chair of the Board, LPP S.A.
Dear Sir,
As a consumer of the products of your company I am concerned by the fact that LPP is not providing about working conditions in factories producing the clothes of LPP’s brands. This information in not available neither in company’s reports nor on the website.
Due to the globalization of the garment industry the majority of the clothes production takes place in Asian countries, it can be assumed that the suppliers of your company are also based in these countries. Diverse research conducted by independent organizations shows that in garment factories in Asia the majority of workers are girls and women aged 16-25. They work 12-18 hours per day, 6-7 days a week, for a salary lower than the living wage. They are also exposed to toxic substances, sexual harassment, psychological abuse, and work under tremendous stress. The freedom of association is often violated leaving the workers with no possibility to claim their labour rights through trade unions.
Therefore I request LPP to publicize the answers to the following questions:
- In which countries are the LPP’s clothes produced?
- Are the basic labour rights regarding working time, health and safety, freedom of association, and wages observed in the factories producing clothes for LPP? And most importantly how is this verified?
- Are there any codes of conduct applied in LPP’s supplying factories? If yes, what are its main regulations? Whom does it cover? How is it implemented and monitored?
Respectfully,
Translation of the urgent appeal box:
Jak się nazywasz? - What is your name?
Wpisz swój e-mail - Write your e-mail
Przepisz tekst z obrazka - Write text from the box
Photo comes from: http://www.cleanclothescampaignireland.org
To: Marek Piechocki, Chair of the Board, LPP S.A.
Dear Sir,
As a consumer of the products of your company I am concerned by the fact that LPP is not providing about working conditions in factories producing the clothes of LPP’s brands. This information in not available neither in company’s reports nor on the website.
Due to the globalization of the garment industry the majority of the clothes production takes place in Asian countries, it can be assumed that the suppliers of your company are also based in these countries. Diverse research conducted by independent organizations shows that in garment factories in Asia the majority of workers are girls and women aged 16-25. They work 12-18 hours per day, 6-7 days a week, for a salary lower than the living wage. They are also exposed to toxic substances, sexual harassment, psychological abuse, and work under tremendous stress. The freedom of association is often violated leaving the workers with no possibility to claim their labour rights through trade unions.
Therefore I request LPP to publicize the answers to the following questions:
- In which countries are the LPP’s clothes produced?
- Are the basic labour rights regarding working time, health and safety, freedom of association, and wages observed in the factories producing clothes for LPP? And most importantly how is this verified?
- Are there any codes of conduct applied in LPP’s supplying factories? If yes, what are its main regulations? Whom does it cover? How is it implemented and monitored?
Respectfully,
Translation of the urgent appeal box:
Jak się nazywasz? - What is your name?
Wpisz swój e-mail - Write your e-mail
Przepisz tekst z obrazka - Write text from the box
Photo comes from: http://www.cleanclothescampaignireland.org
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