Bristol Primark Opening Hijacked by Protesters
Thursday, 13 August 2009 00:00
13.8.09: More than 30 demonstrators joined Labour Behind the Label to speak up for workers rights outside the opening of Bristol's new mega Primark store today. As well as giving out leaflets and placard waving, protesters made up sweatshop songs and attempted to infiltrate the store.
Spotted in the crowd was Primark Director Breege O'Donoghue who spoke to some campaigners. A number of other Primark executives were also present to witness the stunt, along with a collection of radio and new reporters.
Our message was this. Primark lead the way in promoting fast fashion shopping, which encourages the high street to sell ever cheaper garments and encourages consumers to buy yet more stuff they simply don't need and that this is a model that neither workers nor the environment can afford.
At the production end of the supply chain this race to the bottom often leads to abuse and exploitation of the labour force - recent stories have proved such exploitation is happening in Bangladesh, India and the UK. Research done by anti-poverty charity War on Want in December found that workers in Bangladesh were feeling the pressure of the fast fashion rush to produce the latest styles, and many of them suffered verbal and physical abuse as they struggled to meet unrealistic targets. Workers at Primark supplier factories were found living in small, crowded shacks, many of which lacked plumbing and adequate washing facilities and were being paid poverty wages of 7p per hour. This is less than a third of what a Bangladeshi worker needs to live a life of dignity. An Observer article in January showed how workers in Britain were being paid illegally low wages in a knitwear factory also producing for Primark.
When money is tight for British families Primark offers the chance to make cash go further. But for most, the fast fashion phenomenon fuels an addiction to buying more than you need for as little as you can. The promotion of throw-away fashion also leads to massive waste in consumer countries - after all why bother washing your £1 white shoes or carrying your £10 duvet back from a festival when you can dump them and get another one at - you guessed it Primark. Yet for workers like Ifat, who cannot even afford to feed her three children on the wages she earns such waste is an unimaginable luxury.
Protesters were asking Primark to take radical steps to ensure that workers throughout their supply chain receive living wages, enough to feed their families and buy clothing, shelter, transport and healthcare.
So should I stop shopping at Primark?
Primark offer a tempting promise - easy fashion at low costs, great for families on low budgets and anyone stretching the pennies. But the issue comes when addicted shoppers to get hooked on Primark goodies and buy regularly in larger quantities than they could ever need. This sort of buying fuels issues for workers rights and for the environment.
But there are other options. We're not asking people to stop shopping, but rather to consider if each item is really needed, and whether it will still be worn in a month's time. Sharing or swapping clothes with friends is great for finding a new instant look. There are also bargains to be found in second hand shops, from local makers, and from the growing number of ethical fashion brands. You can also get active and let your favourite brands know that you want to shop ethical...and this doesn't mean put up meaningless signs full of empty promises, but taking action to tackle the root causes of this exploitation.
You can also take positive action. Labour Behind the Label has been calling on Primark to Cut the Spin, start being honest about how their clothes are made so cheaply and to start taking genuine action for the people who make their clothes. For more information on Primark and our campaign see here.
