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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Primark 'is probing law breaches' | Primark 'is probing law breaches' |
| (1 day later) | |
| Fashion chain Primark has launched an investigation into allegations one of its suppliers has breached employment and immigration laws. | Fashion chain Primark has launched an investigation into allegations one of its suppliers has breached employment and immigration laws. |
| The Observer newspaper reports an investigation found Manchester-based firm TNS Knitwear was paying illegal workers less than the minimum wage. | The Observer newspaper reports an investigation found Manchester-based firm TNS Knitwear was paying illegal workers less than the minimum wage. |
| Some workers were caught being paid £3 an hour, by an undercover journalist. | Some workers were caught being paid £3 an hour, by an undercover journalist. |
| Primark said it was "extremely concerned" by the allegations, which have been denied by TNS Knitwear. | Primark said it was "extremely concerned" by the allegations, which have been denied by TNS Knitwear. |
| The newspaper says the workers were being paid the sum, just over half the minimum wage of £5, for 12-hour days, seven days a week. | The newspaper says the workers were being paid the sum, just over half the minimum wage of £5, for 12-hour days, seven days a week. |
| Breaches of legislation could lead to fines of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker and prosecution for tax evasion and employment law abuses. | Breaches of legislation could lead to fines of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker and prosecution for tax evasion and employment law abuses. |
| The investigation focussed on TNS Knitwear, which says it supplies up to 20,000 garments to Primark a week. | The investigation focussed on TNS Knitwear, which says it supplies up to 20,000 garments to Primark a week. |
| The Observer reports Pakistani, Afghan and Indian employees at TNS Knitwear admitted their illegal status in the UK on camera. | The Observer reports Pakistani, Afghan and Indian employees at TNS Knitwear admitted their illegal status in the UK on camera. |
| We are extremely concerned about the very serious allegations Primark spokesman | We are extremely concerned about the very serious allegations Primark spokesman |
| A Primark spokesman said: "Primark is conducting its own investigation. Once that investigation is completed, it will decide how to proceed. | A Primark spokesman said: "Primark is conducting its own investigation. Once that investigation is completed, it will decide how to proceed. |
| "Meanwhile, Primark has handed all relevant information passed to the company over to the relevant enforcement agencies so they may take action." | "Meanwhile, Primark has handed all relevant information passed to the company over to the relevant enforcement agencies so they may take action." |
| On Saturday, Primark agreed to remove references to the Ethical Trade Initiative, the trade body which monitors Britain's top retailers, from its 140 shop fronts. | On Saturday, Primark agreed to remove references to the Ethical Trade Initiative, the trade body which monitors Britain's top retailers, from its 140 shop fronts. |
| A full investigation into how some knitwear destined for Primark is made will be on BBC News at Ten on Monday. |