In July 2025, NGO Transparentem alleged apparel companies are "failing to fulfill promises" of remediation for recruitment fee charging found in their supply chain. A rejoinder, which can be read in full below, submitted to the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre says six months after apparel companies promised the repayment of recruitment fees to migrant workers in their Taiwanese supply chain, "most" of the companies lack "clear repayment plans", leaving workers and their families to bear the financial burden.

The rejoinder follows the publication of a report in February 2025 which analysed conditions for migrant workers employed by textile and textile-related suppliers in Taiwan. Findings in the report drew on interviews conducted with over 90 migrant workers from Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. Workers reported conditions amounting to indicators of forced labour, as defined by the ILO, including being charged recruitment fees as high as USD6,000.

At the time, Transparentem identified more than 40 buyers with possible supply-chain connections to nine Taiwanese suppliers operating beyond the first tier of production; the NGO argued that "abuses beyond the first tier will only be prevented if buyers take responsibility for abuses in all suppliers to their tier one suppliers". Transparentem said many buyers who responded took "a narrower view of corporate responsibility" and argued they obligation regarding reports of abuse only extends to those workers who produce specific materials ending up in their projects.

Following the report's publication, the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) reportedly coordinated buyers and advised Transparentem additional buyers beyond those engaged with the NGO had joined remediation activities.

The July 2025 rejoinder highlights most Taiwan textile suppliers made positive progress on corrective actions, including strengthening recruitment policies, and the Taiwanese Textile Federation is working with the sector to agree on industry norms to prevent abuses. However, Transparentem also emphasises that agreements on future norms "cannot be an excuse to delay" remedy for past harms.

Prior to the publication of the rejoinder, Transparentem requested updates from suppliers and the co-leads of the buyer groups. Some responded confirming reimbursement plans, while others responded without expressing firm commitments. Details on supplier responses can be read in the rejoinder linked below.

After receiving the rejoinder, the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited LiPeng / LeaLea, Lovetex and Lucky Unique (three suppliers Transaprentem alleges have not firmly committed to repaying workers or established reimbursement plans for past fees) to respond to the rejoinder and to disclose steps they have taken to investigate and remedy workers for the abuses reported, including steps taken to reimburse workers for recruitment fee charges. Responses from LiPeng / LeaLea and Lovetex can be read in full below. Lucky Unique did not respond.

The Resource Centre also received additional disclosure from the Taiwan Textile Federation, which can be read in full below.