abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Company Response

25 Jan 2024

Inditex's response to allegations of abuses in Myanmar garment factories - February 2024 Update

[..]

Inditex is immersed into a process of a phased and responsible exit from Myanmar, following IndustriALL Global Union's call, and in consequence, we continue to reduce the number of active manufacturers in the country...

We can confirm that Jia Xin, Kfine International Garment (Myanmar), SYSMM Apparel and W&F Group are not Dart of our supply chain and, after performing an investigation, we have not found any evidence of the contrary.

Myanmar Zande, Kittenish Knitting, Lian Chenp and Huabo Times are neither part of our supply chain. At this repard, we want to share with you the result of our investigation:

  • Myanmar Zande: after being aware of some news linking this factory to Inditex, we performed an investigation that implied a traceability assessment that showed that some samples of one order sent to other supplier were shared with this factory. In any case, no production took place there due the lack of the proper machinery for the production of that type of garment.
  • An investigation was performed also in the case of Kittenish Knitting: The product mentioned in your communication was made by other supplier (which is not part of our supply chain since last December) and we did not find any link between them and Kittenish Knitting.
  • With regards to factory Lian Cheng (Myanmar), after performing the correspondent investigation, we identified evidence of a punctual outsourcing of a trial order from one of our suppliers to this factory. The supplier was immediately blocked in our database, not allowing it to continue the business relation with Inditex.
  • In the case of Huabo Times: Inditex has no commercial relationship with this factory since last October. In any case, when this information was published, this factory was under close monitoring and a social audit was performed, not identifying any of the allegations mentioned in media.

On the other hand, Sam Clothing and Kamcaine are Inditex's suppliers in the country. In the case of Sam Clothing, we would like to inform you that as part of our reinforced due diligence process for Myanmar, this factory faced Inditex traceability assessments since the beginning of 2023 in which it was not identified any evidence of using not approved units for the production of our orders. In the case of Kamcaine, we started an investigation at factory level where there were no identified issues related with the information mentioned in media. This factory is anyway included under a Corrective Action Plan to ensure that overtime will be implemented within the stipulations in our Code of Conduct for Manufacturers and Suppliers...

[The full response is attached]

Part of the following timelines

Myanmar: Garment workers' health suffering due to mandatory overtime; incl. co. response

Myanmar: Garment workers reach settlement over forced, unpaid overtime; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Pregnant garment worker denied legally owed maternity leave & benefits, & forced to work overtime; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Labour Office reportedly accepting bribes from factory to ignore worker rights abuses; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Garment workers face labour rights violations including 'humiliating' verbal abuse from supervisors; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Garment workers at Myanmar Zande report multiple labour rights violations; incl. co. response

Myanmar: Garment workers at Myanmar Zande factory reportedly forced to work overtime without notice & face abuse for failing to meet targets; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Garment workers at Lian Cheng (Myanmar) factory report dismissal of pregnant workers & workers who fail to meet targets; incl. co. response

Myanmar: SYSMM garment factory announces it will close without paying workers their full compensation; incl. co. response

Myanmar: Garment workers face dismissal as reportedly company fails to pay subcontracted factories

Myanmar: Workers fired after filing complaint over working conditions; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Garment workers report multiple labour rights violations incl. excessive production targets, verbal abuse & unpaid overtime; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Garment workers at Huabo Times denied social security benefits incl. medical treatment; incl. co. responses

Myanmar: Garment workers reportedly refused leave & treated disrespectfully by management; incl. co. response