BHRRC outreach to Woolworths SA

Several months after the publication of Transparentem’s report we are inviting all brands identified in the investigation as sourcing from the factories to provide information:

1. On how the above violations have been addressed, and
2. Specifically to provide responses to the following questions:
   1. What steps has Woolworths SA taken since the investigation’s publication to investigate the allegations brought to it by Transparentem? Has Woolworths SA substantiated the outstanding allegations, particularly of recruitment fee-charging?
   2. If audits of the factory have been conducted, please disclose any and all audit reports from January 2023 to present.
   3. As of May 2024, is Woolworths SA part of a buyer’s group at the factory? If yes, has it committed funds to remediate workers who were charged recruitment fees?
   4. Given the commitment from Barbour, PVH and Second Clothing to repay migrant workers for recruitment fees and related costs at R.E.A.L, will Woolworths SA commit to joining a reimbursement effort at Firemount factory?
   5. To date, what efforts have been made to address the allegations of abusive working and living conditions? How has the implementation of any improvement measures been substantiated by Woolworths SA?

Response from Woolworths SA

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As advised we have concluded this matter with Transparentem – this included submitting all our external audit reports as well as conducting independent additional audits and employee surveys.

We have no further comments on the above matter.

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