The core issue uncovered by CCC’s new Romania briefing is workers’ wages...

Benetton argues... ‘We have an audit program in place to check compliance with our supplier code of conduct.’ It is clear and broadly accepted in the fashion sector that audits are not an effective instrument to uncover working conditions and wages of workers as well as for monitoring implementation of laws and codes of conduct...

According to Benetton’s published supplier list 2018 there are 22 suppliers all over Romania – and many more subcontractors. It is disappointing that a brand with this heavy presence in Romania still rates conditions there as non-risky...

Max Mara tries to evade responsibility by pointing to suppliers and the Romanian government to fix law and human rights violations. According to our investigations in Europe-East/South, Max Mara’s production can be found in many countries – with similar irregularities. In all places, workers are afraid of speaking out and agreeing to publishing their factory names. This alone indicates to repressive conditions under which they work.