US fashion brand have asked Chinese Suppliers to stop using Uyghurs’ forced labor, while it asks its own government to help them apply their standards at an international level. The stance taken comes after Australian ASPI published a report on the exploitation of Muslim and Turkish minorities inside the People’s Republic’s plants. Some association of the US fashion system, such as National Retail Federation (NRF), American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America (FDRA) have signed a joint note to end the situation. Uyghurs’ exploitation in the Xinjiang region has reached “dimension and complexity with no precedent in this globally operated supply chain system. It’s a challenge that cannot be won by one single segment”.
No more Uyghurs’ exploitation
“We don’t tolerate forced labor practices withing our supply chains”, recites the document. Fashion brands highlighted the efforts made by the segment to “promote the respect for human rights”. The situation brought to light “presents deep challenges for the integrity of the global supply chain, including transparency, access and auditing. Accepting this status-quo isn’t an option”. According to what written on the document, brans and retailers are moving to face the situation involving the Uyghurs.
The government’s role
The note’s subscribers highlight how the “sector cannot solve this issue by itself”. Everyone’s effort is needed. “So, we ask the US government to involve more interested parties in this initiative. To what end? To develop a shared approach able to accurately evaluate the problem and find constructive solutions. So as to protect the workers’ rights and the integrity of the global supply chain”.
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