Benetton, River Island and TK Maxx deemed 'least ethical'
The 'ethical and environmental reporting policies' of several high street stores have been slammed by an eco buyers' guide to the high street. Benetton, River Island and TK Maxx are deemed 'least ethical' by Ethical Consumer Magazine.
The reporters found nine companies including Benetton, River island and TK Maxx were among those unable to demonstrate that they had any policies in place to protect either workers' rights or the environment. More than 30 high street chains were assessed in all.
Trade unions are banned in many countries where clothing companies have operations, restricting the ability of workers to improve their pay and working conditions.
The top three performing companies in terms of their ethical and environmental record were New Look, Ann Harvey and Mango.
Katy Brown from Ethical Consumer and editor of the clothes shop buyers' guide said: "It's totally unacceptable that major international companies such as Benetton and River Island are still failing to take even the first steps to put policies in place that would protect workers from abuses by suppliers.”
In terms of independant retailers, the top three performing companies were Gossypium, Liv and Bishopston Trading.
