What happened and why About 6 months ago, Boohoo, the fast-growing fast-fashion retailer, faced hellish allegations of working with UK suppliers that were mistreating and underpaying their workers, with a pinpoint on the Leicester area. Now, in a pursuit to keep a transparency pledge the company has taken, they released a full list of 78 UK manufacturers they’ve partnered with. A notable reduction from the around 500 they’ve worked with in the past. Under the microscope…Rewind… The company was previously accused of coming short of the “high standard of transparency required”.Fast forward… Boohoo is now following the ‘Agenda for Change’ programme, an independent report crafted last year by senior lawyer Alison Levitt. Releasing the list was one of the key recommendations. ⚖️ The judge is here… Boohoo took the pledge to the next level in November, when the retailer appointed Brian Levenson, a retired judge, to supervise their adherence to the programme. In his most recent report on Boohoo’s progress, the judge stated that “a rigorous process of audit, research and analysis” was implemented, but followed with a request for them to do more. On the same note, Allison Levitt considers it “critical to ensure that there is a robust mechanism for review to ensure that lawful and ethical practices have become baked in”. Boohoo’s statement... The retailer pitched in saying that “the group has ceased doing business with a number of manufacturers who were unable to demonstrate the high standard of transparency required, despite being provided with opportunities to address any issues identified in the auditing process.” The main requirement was for the manufacturers to bring their production in-house for better supervision, transparency and dismissal of the smaller sub-contractors that put the company in this position in the first place. The Takeaway Boohoo, the company targeting the 16-40 years old demographic, seems to be keeping its pledge and following the ‘Agenda for Change’ recommendations. Building a sustainable business based on transparency and good work ethic is a requirement in 2021. With more and more companies being brought to the stand and held to account for their actions, mistreatment and underpayment could, hopefully, soon become a thing of the past.
