People with information about conditions inside Leicester factories supplying the Boohoo fast fashion giant have until the end of today to contribute to a formal investigation.
The formal call for evidence was launched after concerns were raised about possible sweatshop conditions at factories within the city.
The invitation went out earlier this months for anyone with connections to the company’s supply chain – from workers and ex-factory workers and their relatives to supervisors and even councillors and community leaders – to get in touch anonymously.
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The deadline for submissions is today – Wednesday, August 26.
Earlier in the summer an undercover Sunday Times reporter alleged that he had seen poor conditions at a Leicester factory apparently making items for Boohoo.
He accused The Manchester-based online retailer of having its products made in factories in the city paying workers below the minimum wage.
The Sunday paper said the undercover reporter spent two days working in a factory where he was told to expect £3.50 an hour, despite the minimum wage in Britain for anyone aged 25 and over being £8.72.
Days earlier campaign group Labour Behind the Label singled out Boohoo, suggesting that conditions and work practices at some of Leicester’s small textile factories which supply it could have played a part in a localised coronavirus spike which led to an extended lockdown in the city.
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The Boohoo Group had revenues of £1.2 billion in its last trading year, up 44 per cent. Sales also did well during the wider 海角视频 lockdown.
The negative publicity resulted in more than £1 billion being wiped off its market value, while companies such as Next and Asos dropped Boohoo clothes from their websites as a result of the allegations.
In June its shares were trading at around £4.15, buoyed by people turning to the internet to shop during lockdown.
They fell to a low of around £2.10 after the Sunday Times claims and have since risen to around £3.06.
The chain – whose brands include Boohoo, BoohooMAN, PrettyLittleThing, Nasty Gal, MissPap, Karen Millen, Coast, Oasis and Warehouse – ordered the QC led review following the allegations.
People with information can now leave comments on a special website that has been set up.
The website states: “We understand that some people may feel that they might get into trouble for speaking to us or might even lose their job.
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“We promise that you can contact us in confidence or even anonymously.
“We invite you to complete our online questionnaire. If you can provide evidence as well that would be really helpful.
“If English is not your first language, please give your answers in the language with which you are most comfortable and we will have it translated.”
Neither Boohoo nor its suppliers has access to the website and they will not be given any of the material contributed.
He review into its suppliers and sub-contractors is being led by senior barrister Alison Levitt QC.
She wants to hear from members of the public who have information in relation to:
– Working conditions in factories in Leicester which supply garments to the Boohoo Group brands
– What Boohoo knew about those conditions (including the extent to which they monitored their Leicester supply chains)
– Suggestions for improvements for the future.
A statement on behalf of the review team said: “Ms Levitt QC is particularly keen to hear from those with direct experience of working conditions in the factories, including current and former factory workers, supervisors and managers, employees of Boohoo Group companies, and factory inspectors.
“She also seeks contributions from local community groups, non-governmental organisations, politicians, journalists, and other individuals and organisations with relevant expertise.”
In a previous statement Boohoo Group said: “The purpose of this independent review is to consider the group’s obligations and relevant duties of care in relation to the workforce in its Leicester supply chain.
“The group will act decisively on the independent review’s findings and look to embed its recommendations into its strategic planning to help restore confidence in the Leicester garment industry and increase transparency for all of our stakeholders.”
The review and its recommendation will be presented to the company on September 15 and an update published with it half year results on September 30.
Boohoo has said although it commissioned the review, it will not influence its findings or how it is undertaken.
Brian Small, the company’s deputy chairman, said: “The group is committed to delivering the highest standards of ethics, compliance and transparency.”
As of last February, the Boohoo Group had almost 14 million active customers across all its brands around the world.
Around 40 per cent of its products are made in Leicester, which still has a busy independent textiles sector.
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