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European garments major warns Indian manufacturers

H&M, European garments retailer giant with more than 600 stores in 12 European countries, has warned that it would be forced to withdraw imports from Indian manufacturers not adhering to the code of conduct, covering labour-related issues.

Addressing a press conference here last night, H&M quality and environment manager Ingrid Schullstrom said the code, included wages to workers, working hours, health and safety, overtime compensation, environment and child labour.

She said around 900 suppliers, including Europeans, from whom H&M was buying garments have to comply with this code.

Stating that Indian labour laws are poor, she said the condition of workers, especially in the hosiery town of Tirupur, where the company has 15 suppliers, was not satisfactory. Hence, H&M would work proactively with their suppliers and manufacturers association to improve labour conditions, she added.

European and American customers today were not willing to buy garments unless the retailers could guarantee that they were produced without any kind of exploitation of workers, she pointed out.

She said compliance with international codes of conduct as well as national labour and environmental laws was essential for long-term survival of the garment industry in Tirupur.

To enhance the reputation of the industry in this region, manufacturers should either bring sub-contractors under the ambit of the code or abolish the sub-contracting system, she added.

UNI

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