Workers Rights news and archive

Working conditions: Dior not guilty, but to pay two million euros

Rome - The Italian Competition Authority on Wednesday ordered luxury brand Dior to pay two million euros in aid to “victims of exploitation” as part of an investigation into the working conditions of its subcontractors, but ruled out any “infraction”. An investigation had been opened in July 2024 by the Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) “...

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Zara’s 50th birthday becomes day of protest for Inditex employees

To mark the 50th anniversary of Zara, employees from various fashion chains owned by the Spanish Zara parent company Inditex took to the streets in La Coruña, Spain. They protested against what they see as a “gradual” reduction of their labour rights by the company's management. The group is publicly accused of deliberately disadvantaging sales...

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Next requests shareholders vote against resolution calling to disclose employee wages

Next has called on its shareholders to vote against a resolution requesting for the British fashion retailer to disclose how it pays employees to address concerns over employee wages. A group of investors is hoping Next will increase its transparency and improve conditions for shop floor workers by revealing how many of its 40,000 staff are paid...

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Shein bans cotton from unapproved regions for US

Chinese fast-fashion giant Shein has introduced new rules for sourcing cotton in products destined for the US market, Reuters reports. The company announced that cotton will now only be sourced from approved regions, such as the US, India, Brazil and Australia. Pressure is mounting for Shein to be more transparent about its supply chain,...

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Survivors of the earthquake in Türkiye now receive compensation

The Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) Türkiye, a non-governmental organisation that protects workers' rights in the global supply chain, reports in a press release that a number of workers who survived the devastating 2023 earthquake in southeastern Turkey and Syria, which killed over 50,000 people, have finally been compensated by their employer....

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New report unveils child labour concerns at Indian cotton farms

A new report by Transparentem has brought forth worrying allegations of child labour, abusive working conditions and wage violations at Indian cotton farms linked to 60 global brands. The organisation’s initial investigation began in 2022 and ran until March 2023, with the report further underlining companies’ efforts to remediate the issues as...

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Retailers halt use of gig economy apps following trade union backlash

A number of UK retailers have reportedly stopped using gig economy apps like YoungOnes and Temper to hire freelance retail workers after unions criticised the method. According to the Guardian, Uniqlo, Gymshark and Lush are believed to have halted the use of these apps after just a short period of time. It seems that the decisions came as a...

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Italy: Audit system for luxury companies raises questions

Following the scandal surrounding working conditions at certain subcontractors of luxury brands based in Italy, Reuters is shedding light through an investigation on the audit system of large luxury groups that is deemed to be "failing". Last June, Dior, Armani and many other luxury brands were accused of collaborating with subcontractors who do...

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British lawmakers to question Shein over working conditions

As Shein looks to list on the London Stock Exchange, a British parliamentary committee plans to probe the company over the rights of workers in its supply chain, Reuters reported on January 2, adding that the all-party Business and Trade Committee will also probe the Temu marketplace . On January 7, Yinan Zhu, Shein’s general counsel for Europe,...

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Fashion Workers Act signed into NY law: What does this mean for the industry?

After what has been a lengthy legislative process, the Fashion Workers Act has officially been signed into law in New York. The bill intends to regulate the modelling and creative industries in the state, specifically tackling “predatory management agencies” that have previously gone unchecked. Set to go into effect from June 2025, the Fashion...

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Strikes and blockades at Amazon sites in the US and Germany

New York - On Thursday, a strike at several US and German sites of the American online retail giant Amazon began just a few days before the end-of-year holidays, to specifically demand wage increases. The industrial action began at 11:00 GMT in the US on Thursday due to Amazon management's refusal to negotiate with the Amazon Labor Union (ALU),...

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Urban Outfitters and Gymshark among retailers accused of hiring festive workers without basic rights

A new report has accused a number of UK retailers of hiring young “freelance” employees via hiring apps that leave them without basic employment rights. According to The Observer, Urban Outfitters, Gymshark and Uniqlo are understood to be among those carrying out such practices as they fill out staff in preparation for the festive season. Such...