Oct 25, 2012
ScandAsia. Cambodia News
Swedish fashion giant H&M denied accusations that it encouraged
"slave-like" wages at a subcontractor's factory in Cambodia on
Wednesday, 24 October.
"It's completely incorrect," H&M chief executive Karl-Johan Persson told Swedish daily Expressen.
A documentary to be broadcast on Swedish television channel TV4 on
Wednesday alleges that Cambodian factory workers producing goods for
the company are paid so little they have to borrow money just to buy
food.
The programme said that workers were paid a monthly salary of 500
kronor (equivalent to 58 Euros or $75) for a 70-hour work week,
according to news agency TT.
TV4 was invited by H&M to Cambodia, where it was met by striking
textile workers demonstrating for higher pay. The documentary gives the
impression that the retailer opposed the demands.
The claims were refuted by chief executive Persson.
"We teach workers how to negotiate their salaries with employers," he said.
"We want all workers to be paid more and that's why we pressure
politicians to raise the minimum salary to a living wage. That makes it
possible for us to follow up (the issue) during factory inspections.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment