Over the last ten years there has been a growing public awareness that retailers and their contractors, who are sourcing goods in low-cost countries, should be setting a minimum standard of ethical behaviour for their factories.
Consumer expectations focus on the unacceptability of child and forced labour, the importance of health and safety in the work place, the right to a living wage and the ability to bargain collectively with management for improvements without fear of retribution.
Social compliance auditing has evolved into a multi-million dollar industry, its flames fanned by the zealous demands of NGOs and regular scandalous revelations by print and television media. But is all this effort paying off? What is really happening in the factories across the border and how are they meeting the exigent demands of overseas retailers?
Christopher Riley shares some of his insights and experiences having worked in this particular industry for many years. His company provides ethical and quality audit services to many top British, American and Australian retailers and their suppliers.
