... We take all allegations of this nature very seriously wherever they occur in our supply chain, and work in collaboration with our suppliers, multi-stakeholder initiatives and other affected parties to support the development of mitigation and improvement activity. All suppliers are required to comply at all times with the Morrisons Ethical Trading Code and with all applicable national and international laws, regulations, codes and standards, in the countries where their products are grown, harvested, manufactured, stored and distributed. Our Ethical Trading Code does not have a specific clause relating to gender-based violence and harassment, but expressly prohibits any form of discrimination on the grounds of gender and all forms of harassment towards workers ...

Since being made aware of the allegations, both Morrisons and our primary tea supplier have maintained close contact with James Finlay Ltd and the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) to discuss the progress of their investigation, immediate corrective actions, and longer term resolution plan. We are also aware that Ekaterra immediately suspended the managers at the centre of the allegations and launched a full independent investigation, which is ongoing. During this period, our primary supplier placed new purchases from the producers involved on hold until the severity and cause of the issues were fully understood and immediate actions were taken to support victims and protect the welfare of other workers ...

We operate a “Tell Us” hotline for colleagues or suppliers to anonymously raise concerns. This is publicly hosted and available in 13 languages, but currently only available in the three countries where Morrisons group companies operate (UK, Netherlands & Hong Kong). In the first instance concerns should be raised via our primary supplier. James Finlay Ltd has communicated details of their existing safeguarding measures in place to all workers in JFK estates. This includes an anonymous third-party whistle blowing hotline which is managed and overseen by their UK based team. We will continue to monitor the situation relating to these allegations and actively support the progress of both the wider investigation and long term improvement plans.

[Full response attached]