The Observer investigates treatment of supply workers

Serious allegations about the treatment of workers at a clothing supplier to many of Britain's leading high street names have come to light in an investigation by The Observer. Retailers including Next, Debenhams and BHS buy tens of thousands of items per month from the Fortune Garment and Woollen Knitting Factory in Cambodia.

The factory has been judged the worst of those inspected by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) on a host of health and safety issues. The factory says that since an ILO report in 2002 it has dealt with noise and ventilation. But the ILO inspection in August last year showed that the factory had made little improvement on noise, ventilation or sick pay. When the Observer visited the factory last week the vast majority of the 30 workers interviewed said conditions in the factory were poor. They said they were in rooms with up to 600 others. "they use fans but its still very hot and because there are not enough fans and only two doors which are kept closed "In the washing room there are a lot of chemicals and the ceiling is not high so it's gets very hot and stuffy, we are given masks but they are not good enough and we often suffer the effects of chemical inhalation." Employees said.