We are deeply saddened to hear about this tragic incident concerning a factory employee on her way home from work. Our thoughts and condolences are with the victim’s family. Investigations have been conducted by local police as well as independently by the organization SAVE, and legal proceedings are now underway.

We do not tolerate harassment of any kind, and suppliers that do not share these values cannot and will not be part of our supply chain. Our ongoing monitoring, including announced and unannounced audits as well as self-reporting by the supplier, had not raised any cases of harassment in the factory in question. The factory has also been regularly assessed by other third-party auditors and brands. We are in close contact with the local trade union to ensure that any actions taken from our side are in the best interest of the workers. In this particular case, the trade union has explicitly asked us not to terminate the business relationship with the supplier in question, and instead actively work to strengthen the workplace safety. We are therefore in close contact with the supplier and have set some immediate and urgent actions that we expect them to complete in order to demonstrate how they can guarantee a workplace free from harassment. We will also, in collaboration with other brands, and in line with the trade union’s wish, initiate an independent third-party investigation regarding incidents related to harassment. Any future relationship with this supplier will entirely depend on the result of that investigation as well as the factory management team taking necessary actions within a set timeline and guaranteeing a fully transparent line of communication going forward.

We have made it clear to the supplier that the family must be compensated according to the law, without requiring confidentiality or non-disclosure as a condition of compensation. We also stressed that no one, including the supplier, should under any circumstances coerce or pressure the family in any matter. We have now have also explicitly demanded that the factory management team refrain from contacting the family without engagement with the unions or H&M Group.