Bangladesh: Primark suspends orders from garment factories during investigations into mass dismissals following wage protests
"Primark cuts ties with some factories", 7 August 2019
...Primark has suspended business ties with some garment factories in Bangladesh, which had terminated 427 workers for their alleged involvement in agitations during December 2018 and January 2019 demanding a wage hike.
“We have been working hard...to ensure that our products are made with great care and respect for workers’ rights,” Primark said..."This is why we have been conducting in-depth investigations into a small number of our suppliers’ factories in Bangladesh where there were allegations that workers’ contracts had been terminated.” ...
...The key issues are that Primark wants withdrawal of cases filed against the workers and clearing all legal dues, explained a senior official of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA)...
...Nazma Akter, president of Sammilito Garment Sramik Federation said Primark’s move would not have any big impact on Bangladesh’s garment business. Primark may place the withdrawn work orders to other local garment factories, meaning they were not shifting the orders to other countries, she said...