Primark, a huge fashion store in the UK, fired three of its clothing suppliers after finding out they were involved in the exploitation of children in their factories.
BBC’s article, “Primark fires child worker firms,” uncovered Primark was unknowingly receiving shipment from suppliers who were sub-contracting illegal firms to produce embroidery and sequin work through child labour. As a business, Primark’s decision to fire the factories is an action that “fulfill[s] a responsibility to shareholders.” Had more people found out the dark truth about Primark’s suppliers, consumers in today’s society would make the decision to not buy from Primark and sales would go down.
George Weston, chief executive, states, “We don’t want kids working on our clothes. We bring a lot of good to the people who work in our factories in proper working conditions. We want people paid properly.” Primark Better Lives Foundation has been set up to provide financial assistance to improve the lives of young people. It is engaged in a mutual relationship with most of its suppliers by providing just and reasonable benefits while receiving affordable products in return.