Boohoo is accused of turning a blind eye to sweatshop factories despite the issue being repeatedly raised
Boohoo has been accused of ‘turning a blind eye’ to problems in its supply chain after the issue was repeatedly raised.
Tory MP Philip Dunne, the chairman of the House of Commons environmental audit committee (EAC), disputed claims the fashion giant was not aware of potentially illegal working practices at factories making its garments.
Last week Boohoo said it was ‘shocked and appalled’ by allegations that workers making its clothes were paid as little as £3.50 per hour.
Sweatshop scandal: Tory MP Philip Dunne has disputed claims fashion giant Boohoo was not aware of potentially illegal working practices at factories making its garments
Leicester factories were also accused of riding roughshod over social-distancing measures, putting their workers at risk of catching coronavirus.
Boohoo launched an independent investigation headed by a top business crime barrister and announced it would spend £10million on its supply chain.
But Dunne questioned how the revelations could be new to the company, which has 170 suppliers in Leicester.
Writing to founders Carol Kane and Mahmud Kamani, he said: ‘It is shameful that it took a pandemic and the ensuing outrage about working practices in their supply chain for Boohoo finally to be taken to task for turning a blind eye.’
He highlighted a series of reports exposing Leicester’s textile industry, including the EAC’s own report into the fast-fashion industry in 2019, which Boohoo co-founder Kane gave evidence to.
Asos boss Nick Beighton, meanwhile, said he would personally inspect its operations in Leicester today to avoid being dragged into the crisis.
‘I’m very worried about the potential read-across from consumers,’ Beighton said.