Article
Improving working conditions in Bangladesh garment factory
Eighteen months ago, we highlighted the appalling conditions in one of [Windy Group’s] city centre factories, Windy Apparels…Two of [its workers] said they were making clothes for Zara…In Business alerted Inditex, the owner of Zara, and their Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Javier Chercoles, flew to Bangladesh. [He said] "Conditions were bad… no evacuation stairs, too many people." Javier Chercoles gave the factory owner… an ultimatum: close this factory and improve conditions…if you want Inditex…to remain a customer…Neil Kearney, General Secretary of the International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers Federation…[said] "It's what every factory should be moving towards… if the buyer makes the demand, the industry has to respond..."…[also refers to Elaine Garments]