Primark Supplier Base Code
1. EMPLOYMENT IS FREELY CHOSEN
2. FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION AND THE RIGHT TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ARE RESPECTED
3. WORKING CONDITIONS ARE SAFE AND HYGIENIC
4. ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Immediately after the Rana Plaza disaster Primark worked with local partners in Bangladesh to give financial support and food aid to the victims and their families. At the time, we also committed to providing long-term compensation. In total Primark has paid $14m in aid and in both short and long-term compensation to the victims and their families of Primark supplier, New Wave Bottoms.
Since 2009, Primark in partnership with SAVE (Social Awareness and Voluntary Education) has provided education and support to workers and their communities in south India. The programme raises awareness on topics including the importance of children’s education, financial planning, health and worker rights and allows us to go beyond the factory gate to understand the challenges faced by communities in which our products are made.Workers in the groups then educate others in the factories they work in, and the communities they live in. A key achievement of this programme is that all workers who take part in the scheme send their children to school and encourage others in their communities to do so.
How could standards in the factories be raised and how could the quality of life and standard of living for the workers and their families be improved?
Standards in factories around the world could be improved by regular unplanned expectations from companies outside of the country, this could include working conditions and building regulations. Also money could be invested from larger companies to improve the conditions and standards although this may cost a price now, long term better products and garments could be made and most importantly the people working for the company would be happier within the working environment. Companies should sign a partition where minimum wage needs to be monitored and stuck to and also make sure there is no child labour involved in the sweatshop. Regular working hours would mean that families because more stable and have a chance to spend time together and would ensure the workers are not taken advantage of. Making sure the wage is a fair rate and that children are attending education is important because long term it helps to build a stable economy and a better future for the people.