Bristol Primark Opening Hijacked by Protesters
Last Updated on Tuesday, 25 August 2009 08:39 Written by Sam Maher 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
