9th February, 2004

International aid agency Oxfam Community Aid Abroad has called for big brand companies operating in the fashion industry to ensure the labour rights of garment workers are upheld after a study found they are driving down employment conditions for millions for women workers around the globe.

The organisation says a study of workers conditions found that most women workers have no access to sick leave or maternity leave, often endure workplace intimidation and are frequently penalised for joining unions.

“Multinational companies are using their power at the top of the global supply chains to bully suppliers into greater flexibility, higher quality and shorter delivery times as well as cheaper prices,” said Andrew Hewitt, executive director of Oxfam Community Aid Abroad in a statement.

“This pressure is dumped immediately onto women workers in the form of longer hours, often in poor conditions and with no job security.”

Mr Hewitt has called on those companies selling garments to ensure that their purchasing practices don’t harm the labour rights of workers.

Oxfam says that in countries such as China, young women face 150 hours of overtime a month and 90 per cent have no access to social insurance.

- DAVID ADAMS