BHRRC outreach to Armani

Several months after the publication of Transparentem’s report we are inviting all brands identified in the investigation as sourcing from the factories to provide information:

1. On how the above violations have been addressed, and
2. Specifically to provide responses to the following questions:
   1. What steps has Armani taken since the investigation’s publication to investigate the allegations brought to it by Transparentem? Has Armani substantiated the outstanding allegations, particularly of recruitment fee-charging?
   2. If audits of the factories have been conducted, please disclose any and all audit reports from January 2023 to present.
   3. As of May 2024, is Armani part of a buyer’s group at the factory? If yes, has it committed funds to remediate workers who were charged recruitment fees?
   4. Given the commitment from Barbour, PVH and Second Clothing to repay migrant workers for recruitment fees and related costs at R.E.A.L., will Armani commit to joining the reimbursement effort? If not, why not? Will Armani commit to joining a reimbursement effort at DDI?
   5. To date, what efforts have been made to address the allegations of abusive working and living conditions? How has the implementation of any improvement measures been substantiated by Armani?

Response from Armani

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With regard to these specific suppliers, we stopped using them before the investigation of Transparentem, nonetheless – like we always do with our stakeholders - we kept an open dialogue in order to find common solutions to be adopted. We have therefore decided to adhere to the pledge: CSR Guidance: Commitment to Responsible Recruitment.

We have allocated significant resources to further investigate and seek remediation or improvement where possible for the workers. In addition, we have collaborated with other brands involved and with American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) https://www.aafaglobal.org/ to contact the Mauritius government and AAFA’s counterpart in Mauritius, the Mauritius Exporters Association (MEXA), to urge them to address the concerns raised by Transparentem. As part of those efforts, AAFA has urged the Mauritius government to pass legislation to protect foreign migrant workers and urged MEXA to approve a code of conduct for members that recognizes and protects the rights of foreign migrant workers. Thanks in part to our efforts, MEXA has approved a new code of conduct and has required every member to implement the new code of conduct and the Mauritius government has issued new legislation governing labor recruiters and has reach new agreements with home countries on labor recruitment.

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