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RETAIL MYTHS
ETHICAL TRADE/LOW PAID LABOUR - “RETAILERS MAKE BIG PROFITS AT THE EXPENSE OF LOW PAID, BADLY TREATED LABOUR IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES”.
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It's a myth that UK retailers source from exploitative, badly run sweatshops. That would be unethical and unworkable. For example China is producing shoes for the world on an unprecedented scale. That requires safe, modern attractive factories, not backstreet sweatshops.
World class facilities in Asia are delivering product to demanding consumers on the UK high street. Only the best will do and this must be built on total trust in ethical and environmental standards. Any factory which cannot compete on this level will simply not be able to meet the standards demanded by BRC members and their customers.
Retailers work with the Ethical Trading Initiative to ensure that high standards are adhered to. Suppliers are systematically inspected.
Standards in factories located in developing countries often surpass those in Europe and America.
People in those countries choose to work in those factories because the pay and conditions are more attractive than the alternatives.
Those workers, suppliers, countries and economies benefit from access to high-value UK markets. It's a nonsense to suggest they would be better off if UK retailers were not doing business with them.
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