Sixteen Hong Kong clothing companies producing well-known brands were
found in an Oxfam survey to provide only sketchy information on their
supply chains – or no information at all.
Esprit and Giordano International were top scorers in the survey with
ten per cent, PMTD achieved four per cent, and Moiselle International
recorded three per cent. The other 12 were rated zero.
Commentators have said Hong Kong businesses are under less pressure
than companies such as Nike and Levi Strauss, which have been the
targets of anti-sweatshop campaigns for a decade. However, they are
thought likely to be scrutinized as they expand their markets outside
Asia, and questions may be raised on home ground by a new young
generation of consumers, investors and other stakeholders with an
interest in responsibility issues.
The Oxfam report said every company should release more information and should work harder to engage its stakeholders.
The 16 countries surveyed account for 44 brands, have a combined annual
turnover of nearly $4billion (£2.05bn), and operate more than 5300
outlets in at least 30 countries, mainly in China, Hong Kong,
south-east Asia and the Middle East.
