Primark Protest

On Saturday 2nd May supporters of People Tree, People Tree Foundation and War on Want demonstrated over poverty wages for garment workers as Primark, opened a huge new two-floor store in London.

The protesters handed out leaflets to shoppers, calling for a living wage and an end to the exploitation of garment workers making clothes for Primark.

People Tree customers and War on Want supporters of all ages turned up early on a Saturday morning to join in. Don't worry if you missed it this time as you can watch a short video of the action on the day.

As part of the protest we invited Katherine Kirk, Primark's new Ethical Trading Director to meet us on the day to receive a letter we had written to her. Unfortunately Ms Kirk did not respond to our invitation or send a representative.

The letter addressed Primark's code of conduct which says living wages are paid, working hours are not excessive, no harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed and freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected.

But, in December War on Wants research, Fashion Victims II, cited workers producing clothes for Primark in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka earning as little as 7p an hour for up to 80-hour weeks.

Some employees received only the minimum wage, £13.97 (1663 taka) a month, far less than the £44.82 (5333 taka) needed for nutritious food, clean water, shelter, clothes, education, health care and transport.

Our concerns over the new store in Tooting were supported by local MP Sadiq Khan who said “I am a strong supporter of ethical trading and have been campaigning locally to promote Fair-trade and to make Wandsworth into a Fair-trade Borough.

This week I met with Safia Minney, CEO of People Tree to discuss her concerns about Primark and action that the government could be taking.

I have read War on Want's excellently researched report, 'Fashion Victims II', which shows that factory employees are still being exploited and are in an even worse financial position than before.

Working conditions such as the ones described in the report would definitely not be accepted here.

We need to remind everyone that whatever the geographical difference between us and the factory workers who make our clothes, these are real people who just like us need jobs that pay enough to buy at least the basics in life, food, shelter, healthcare and education.”

Perhaps Katherine Kirk didn't think we were serious over our concerns or that they were not supported by the public.

If you would like to show Ms Kirk that people do care then add your name to our letter.

We will resend it to Ms Kirk in June to show her how much people do care and hopefully start a constructive dialogue in addressing the problems.

Read Safia's blog to find out more and watch the video online.