Garment factories across Leicester in the UK have been subject to unannounced visits by enforcement body the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) to ensure the ethical treatment of workers and compliance with regulations.
The operation, which has seen the GLAA carry out spot checks across the city, follows recent allegations of unsafe working conditions and the exploitation of workers during a localised lockdown in Leicester as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Online fashion retailer Boohoo, which owns the PrettyLittleThing and Nasty Gal brands, was alleged to be paying its workers as little as GBP3 (US$3.86) an hour in unsafe conditions. A number of retailers ditched the group’s brands from their websites as a result of the claims.
The allegations prompted an immediate independent review of its UK supply chain and a warning it would cut ties with factories found to be breaching its supplier code. Two suppliers were reportedly axed including Morefray and Revolution Clothing.
Several enforcement agencies are now working alongside Leicester City Council and Public Health England (PHE) to conduct unannounced visits at commercial premises in the city.
On 7 August, officers from the GLAA, Health and Safety Executive, Leicestershire Police, and Immigration Enforcement, visited six factories and garment manufacturers. All were said to be compliant with the regulations, with evidence of good practice by the businesses in taking proactive steps to protect their workers from Covid-19.
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By GlobalData“Since allegations surfaced about unsafe working conditions and the exploitation of workers in some Leicester factories, we and our enforcement partners in Operation Tacit, along with the city council and Public Health England, have been working together to make sure workers are safe from exploitation and dangerous working conditions,” says GLAA head of enforcement, Ian Waterfield.
“No one should have to work in an unsafe environment, feel forced or coerced into doing so, nor have their labour exploited. Exploiting vulnerable workers for commercial gain will not be tolerated and there is a concerted multi-agency drive to tackle it robustly. We also want to support those legitimate businesses who are complying with the law and treating their workers fairly.
“We want to know about unsafe working conditions, businesses that are exploiting their workers, employers who are committing tax fraud – we want people to feel confident to report their concerns.”
Waterfield said evidence of criminality, breaches of labour law, health and safety regulations and other regulations, would result in action being taken against those responsible.
“Under Operation Tacit we and our partners won’t tolerate criminality or a disregard for workers’ rights in the labour market. We need the help of Leicester’s communities to help us root out any employers and businesses who are exploiting their workers.”
Councillor Adam Clarke, Leicester deputy city mayor for environment and transportation, adds: “This much needed resource is something we have been calling for. It extends the work we have done over a number of years to get the complex network of enforcement bodies to work more closely together. This is despite Leicester City Council having no statutory duty or enforcement powers itself.
“Whilst of course we welcome and encourage robust intelligence led enforcement by GLAA, HSE and HMRC, this must run in parallel to sensitive work, particularly with those being exploited and those at risk of exploitation.
“In addition, all activity must be aligned to work aimed at protecting and promoting those many good businesses offering good jobs, and resources should also be directed at creating many more good jobs in Leicester.”
