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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/24/australian-retailers-bangladesh-sweatshop-claims
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Australian retailers face new Bangladesh sweatshop claims | Australian retailers face new Bangladesh sweatshop claims |
| (2 months later) | |
| Australian retailers who recently signed an agreement to improve worker conditions in Bangladesh are facing new claims that sweatshop workers in the country have suffered physical and verbal abuse. | Australian retailers who recently signed an agreement to improve worker conditions in Bangladesh are facing new claims that sweatshop workers in the country have suffered physical and verbal abuse. |
| In an investigation to be aired by ABC’s Four Corners on Monday night, Bangladeshi workers who create clothes for Coles, Target, Kmart and Rivers claim to be forced to work long hours for little pay, with threats of abuse if they miss deadlines. | In an investigation to be aired by ABC’s Four Corners on Monday night, Bangladeshi workers who create clothes for Coles, Target, Kmart and Rivers claim to be forced to work long hours for little pay, with threats of abuse if they miss deadlines. |
| Shahanas told 4Corners that she earns $3 a day as an employee at Dhaka business Eve Dress Shirts, making clothing for retail brand Rivers. But the manager of Eve Dress Shirts denies that the factory supplies Rivers. | Shahanas told 4Corners that she earns $3 a day as an employee at Dhaka business Eve Dress Shirts, making clothing for retail brand Rivers. But the manager of Eve Dress Shirts denies that the factory supplies Rivers. |
| Shahanas told 4Corners: “The system is, how many pieces I have delivered in an hour? If I can’t meet it, the abusive language starts. | Shahanas told 4Corners: “The system is, how many pieces I have delivered in an hour? If I can’t meet it, the abusive language starts. |
| "They slap us on the face, on the head and on the back.” | "They slap us on the face, on the head and on the back.” |
| The allegations of abuse come just weeks after two of the brands linked to the allegations of sweatshop abuse by suppliers – Kmart and Target – signed a pledge to safeguard workers’ safety in the wake of the Rana Plaza collapse, which killed more than 1,100 people. | The allegations of abuse come just weeks after two of the brands linked to the allegations of sweatshop abuse by suppliers – Kmart and Target – signed a pledge to safeguard workers’ safety in the wake of the Rana Plaza collapse, which killed more than 1,100 people. |
| Earlier this month, Kmart said that only suppliers that met its “strict standards for safety and social compliance” would be awarded business from the retail chain. | Earlier this month, Kmart said that only suppliers that met its “strict standards for safety and social compliance” would be awarded business from the retail chain. |
| However several Australian businesses are yet to sign the Accord on Fire and Building Safety, which allows employees to refuse to work in unsafe conditions and mandates independent inspections of work sites. More than 50 international brands have agreed to the conditions, set out by global union IndustriALL. | However several Australian businesses are yet to sign the Accord on Fire and Building Safety, which allows employees to refuse to work in unsafe conditions and mandates independent inspections of work sites. More than 50 international brands have agreed to the conditions, set out by global union IndustriALL. |
| A spokesperson for Big W, which had yet to sign the agreement, told Guardian Australia: “Our intention is to sign it, but we are still waiting on details on how it will work. We are in contact with IndustriALL about how it will be rolled out and run.” | A spokesperson for Big W, which had yet to sign the agreement, told Guardian Australia: “Our intention is to sign it, but we are still waiting on details on how it will work. We are in contact with IndustriALL about how it will be rolled out and run.” |
| Just Group, which owns Just Jeans, Peter Alexander and Portmans, refused to comment on the situation but it is understood it has not signed the accord. Best and Less, which has also declined to sign the accord, did not return Guardian Australia’s calls at the time of publication. | Just Group, which owns Just Jeans, Peter Alexander and Portmans, refused to comment on the situation but it is understood it has not signed the accord. Best and Less, which has also declined to sign the accord, did not return Guardian Australia’s calls at the time of publication. |
| Dr Helen Szoke, chief executive of Oxfam Australia, told Guardian Australia that Australian retailers compared unfavourably with their international counterparts on the issue. | Dr Helen Szoke, chief executive of Oxfam Australia, told Guardian Australia that Australian retailers compared unfavourably with their international counterparts on the issue. |
| “We think Australian retailers are dragging their feet,” she said. “We know that 50 big iconic brands Europe and USA have signed this accord – the question is, what’s the problem, in Australia? | “We think Australian retailers are dragging their feet,” she said. “We know that 50 big iconic brands Europe and USA have signed this accord – the question is, what’s the problem, in Australia? |
| “Even the big sporting apparel companies like Adidas and Nike have become transparent in what they are doing and it’s not impacting their bottom lines, so it does surprise me that there is reticence in Australia. | “Even the big sporting apparel companies like Adidas and Nike have become transparent in what they are doing and it’s not impacting their bottom lines, so it does surprise me that there is reticence in Australia. |
| “I’m sure we are only seeing part of the story as to what goes on in these sweatshops. The problem is one of transparency – we just don’t know how many other retailers in Australia are using Bangladesh in this way.” | “I’m sure we are only seeing part of the story as to what goes on in these sweatshops. The problem is one of transparency – we just don’t know how many other retailers in Australia are using Bangladesh in this way.” |
| Szoke said that an Oxfam survey of 1,000 Australians found that 70% said they would pay more for their clothes if they knew overseas workers were paid a fair wage and that factories were safe working environments. | Szoke said that an Oxfam survey of 1,000 Australians found that 70% said they would pay more for their clothes if they knew overseas workers were paid a fair wage and that factories were safe working environments. |
| “Consumers need to let these companies know they are upset about the lack of transparency,” she said. | “Consumers need to let these companies know they are upset about the lack of transparency,” she said. |
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