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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/oct/05/asos-and-new-look-to-join-anti-slavery-event-in-leicester
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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Asos and New Look to join anti-slavery event in Leicester | Asos and New Look to join anti-slavery event in Leicester |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Retailers Asos and New Look will join the UK’s anti-slavery watchdog and about 40 other regulatory agencies in Leicester on Friday as the city looks to improve the treatment of workers in its textile industry. | Retailers Asos and New Look will join the UK’s anti-slavery watchdog and about 40 other regulatory agencies in Leicester on Friday as the city looks to improve the treatment of workers in its textile industry. |
| Sir Peter Soulsby, the mayor of Leicester, who organised the event, said: “We have to acknowledge there are unethical and illegal working practices in the industry, which are preventing retailers from buying more locally. | Sir Peter Soulsby, the mayor of Leicester, who organised the event, said: “We have to acknowledge there are unethical and illegal working practices in the industry, which are preventing retailers from buying more locally. |
| “This is not just an issue for Leicester, but a national one. However, in Leicester we want to make sure that we have the highest standards of employment; that workers are properly paid, well trained and work in safe environments. We want to support our factories to be the best they can and to set an example that others can follow.” | “This is not just an issue for Leicester, but a national one. However, in Leicester we want to make sure that we have the highest standards of employment; that workers are properly paid, well trained and work in safe environments. We want to support our factories to be the best they can and to set an example that others can follow.” |
| The meeting comes after management at Asos and New Look, which manufacture in Leicester, said they would like to increase the amount of goods they make in the UK but had been put off by concerns about the exploitation of workers. Former New Look boss Anders Kristiansen has described the situation as “a ticking timebomb”. | The meeting comes after management at Asos and New Look, which manufacture in Leicester, said they would like to increase the amount of goods they make in the UK but had been put off by concerns about the exploitation of workers. Former New Look boss Anders Kristiansen has described the situation as “a ticking timebomb”. |
| A damning 2015 report revealed endemic exploitation inside the East Midlands garment industry. According to researchers at the University of Leicester, up to 90% of those working in the sector were being paid £3 an hour – less than half the legal minimum wage. | A damning 2015 report revealed endemic exploitation inside the East Midlands garment industry. According to researchers at the University of Leicester, up to 90% of those working in the sector were being paid £3 an hour – less than half the legal minimum wage. |
| The Leicestershire area has the second highest concentration of textile manufacturing in the UK, with 1,500 businesses employing about 10,000 people. | The Leicestershire area has the second highest concentration of textile manufacturing in the UK, with 1,500 businesses employing about 10,000 people. |
| Sir David Metcalf, the government’s director of labour market enforcement, who is developing a national strategy to prevent the exploitation of workers across UK industry including textiles, will speak at the event. The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the Health and Safety Executive, Leicestershire fire and rescue service, UK Visas and Immigration, Trading Standards, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, the police, Citizens Advice and the Insolvency Service will attend. | Sir David Metcalf, the government’s director of labour market enforcement, who is developing a national strategy to prevent the exploitation of workers across UK industry including textiles, will speak at the event. The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the Health and Safety Executive, Leicestershire fire and rescue service, UK Visas and Immigration, Trading Standards, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, the police, Citizens Advice and the Insolvency Service will attend. |
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| Slavery | Slavery |
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