Canada's clothing brand cuts ties with China's supplier over use of North Korean labour

Canadian retail giant has decided to remove all remaining inventory made at a factory in China which is suspected of using forced labour from rth Korea, said company’s press release following a CBC report that “brought new information to light.” Canadian company, Reitmans said in a statement published on Friday evening, stressed that its previous audits of factory in China had t found evidence of “any guest workers or forced labour”. 

statement followed CBC’s story that detailed, through undercover investigations, showed that Dandong Huayang Textiles and Garment Co, was using rth Korean “guest” workers. report stated citing experts that said that city of Dandong, located on border of rth Korea and China, has a long history of employing rth Korean workers at ir respective factories including Dandong Huayang. Reitmans has said that it has a policy against using forced labour. In a statement that followed media report, Canadian company said, “Reitmans (Canada) Limited takes all requirements of corporate social responsibility very seriously, and how our designs come to life is important to us.”

Reitmans said, “We require all of our suppliers to sign and abide by terms of our Supplier Code of Conduct and Traceability Program and to adhere to a comprehensive audit program that is based on corrective action, transparency and partnership. Our Supplier Code of Conduct prohibits use of forced labour throughout our supply chain.”

“For several years, we have purchased products from Dandong Huayang Textiles and Garments Ltd. All of our past audits at factory where our products were manufactured, including most recent one conducted without tice by an independent accredited audit firm in December 2020, did t identify guest workers or forced labour,” it added.

‘We became aware at end of 2020’

Reitmans also addressed, “That said, at end of 2020, we became aware through credible media reports of allegations surrounding Dandong Huayang Textiles and Garments Ltd. We have taken se allegations of presence of rth Korean workers seriously and have been cautious. At end of 2020, we decided to act proactively and terminate our business relationship with Dandong Huayang Textiles and Garments Ltd. which is longer a supplier to Reitmans (Canada) Ltée.”

“CBC report highlights new information. We are shocked by se new allegations of presence of rth Korean guest workers at what appear to be factories of Dandong Huayang Textiles and Garments Ltd. In this context, we believe we made right decision at end of 2020 by proactively stopping issuing purchase orders with this supplier. In addition, we have decided to remove all remaining inventory of 4 Penningtons and 2 Reitmans styles from this supplier that had been ordered over a year ago. We will donate it to local charities,” company added.

Im: Unsplash/Representative