Committees

Chair demands answers from Boohoo on trade union recognition

19 July 2019

Environmental Audit Committee publishes an exchange of letters between Mary Creagh and the bosses of fast fashion retailer Boohoo

In its Fixing Fashion report the Committee called upon Boohoo to engage with the trade union Usdaw as a priority and recognise unions for its workers.

EAC Chair Mary Creagh wrote to the company in June following reports that Usdaw had continued to experience difficulties in establishing trade union recognition discussions with Boohoo, contrary to the evidence given to the EAC in November, committing to union recognition ‘if the workers would like it.'

Chair's comments

Environmental Audit Committee Chair Mary Creagh said:

“We want to know what steps Boohoo has taken to engage with Usdaw in establishing formal trade union recognition for workers in its supply chain here in the UK and overseas.

“Boohoo's Carol Kane told us in evidence that the company was prepared to recognise trade unions, so why hasn't that happened?

“In our fixing fashion report, we flagged our on-going concerns about labour exploitation in the UK's garment industry. We will continue to monitor developments.”

Further information

Image: rita-platts