Primark commits to improve working conditions for garment workers

Value fashion retailer Primark is to partner with the Department for International Development (DFID) to improve working conditions for garment workers in developing markets.

The company says the partnership will combine the presence, networks and expertise of both organisations to improve the health and wellbeing of local workers, bolster national economic development and help alleviate poverty in five of its key markets: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Burma, Ethiopia and India.

From providing gender equality training in garment factories to training female nurses, a large part of the programme will focus on creating positive change for women working in the developing world.

Indeed, the partnership will concentrate on achieving transformative change across three key areas: women's economic empowerment, the creation of new ethical garment sectors in areas such as Burma and East Africa and the development of effective disaster response (sharing lessons from the Rana Plaza disaster of 2013). 

Paul Lister, responsible for Primark’s Ethical Trading Team, commented:  “We know that as well as ensuring worker rights are protected within the factories we work with, we can positively impact lives outside of the factory too. Whether it’s financial literacy, health education or helping workers understand their rights, we’ve seen that simple initiatives with local partners can make a huge difference.” 

“Our new partnership with DFID recognises the strength and depth of the work we have been doing across our supply chain. But, most importantly, it will help us use our expertise and resources already on the ground, to accelerate the impact of our programmes."