Students take to the streets in Topshop protest

Thursday, 06 December 2007 14:04

On Thursday 6 December Topshop's dirty laundry was hung out in public as People & Planet activists across the country - from Brighton to Dundee - exposed the worker exploitation in the company's supply chain and called on it to clean up its act.

Students from P&P, a member of the Let's Clean Up Fashoin campaign, in 16 cities took action against Topshop on the national day of action to Redress Fashion. Washing lines of shame were strung up on highstreets, a banner attached to helium balloons was set off in the Reading store demanding that Topshop stop sweatshopping, Edinburgh P&P invited shoppers to enquire about the company's slavery policy, and more.

You can view the photos on People & Planet's website.

"PANTS TO PRIMARK!" SAY PROTESTERS.

Friday, 28 September 2007 12:18

An independent group of 15 human rights campaigners met on Sat 15th September in Liverpool to reduce the fanfare surrounding the new Primark store and make people aware of the alleged mistreatment of workers at the hands of the fashion industry.

Labour Behind the Label and War on Want's joint report on high street stores came out on Friday 14th September. Using this document, the campaigners wanted to raise public awareness of the conditions in which Primark and other clothing retailers' garments are made. Primark was targeted above other unethical stores because the demonstrators believe that their budget approach influences the UK's retail practices and drives prices down within high street stores, fuelling demand for disposable clothing. The protesters were asking people to think before they buy, voice their concerns to these clothing companies and call on the UK government to strengthen the regulations on the clothing industry.

The demonstration involved holding up placards, handing out leaflets and getting people to sign a petition calling for Primark to raise its ethical standards. During the day a total of 428 signatures were collected. The petitions were handed over to Primark's store manager and copies sent to local MPs.

A protester commented, "Primark's profits have risen substantially and therefore we believe that they can afford to pay their workers a living wage. Many people were genuinely shocked by our information and wanted to know more. It was a shame we couldn't stay until closing time – we ran out of leaflets!"