UK retailer New Look has entered a partnership to protect workers.
- The agreement involves collaboration with the International Transport Workers Union (ITF).
- New Look will conduct human rights due diligence across its transport supply chain.
- Commitments include advancing freedom of association for transport workers.
- The initiative aims to eradicate modern slavery and human trafficking in the supply chain.
UK clothing retailer New Look has taken a significant step to enhance the protection of workers’ rights in its supply chain. This initiative is marked by a new agreement with the International Transport Workers Union (ITF), focusing on ensuring that human and labour rights are safeguarded within its transport operations. New Look operates 391 stores across the UK and Ireland, and this agreement spans both directly operated and subcontracted transport activities, reflecting its broad commitment to ethical practices.
A crucial element of the agreement is the implementation of human rights due diligence (HRDD) within New Look’s transport supply chain. This process will be executed in full consultation with the ITF and aims to address safety, resilience, and sustainability in transport supply chains. Sue Fairley, New Look’s senior head of ESG, quality, and sourcing, stressed the importance of this partnership, stating, “Formalising our relationship with ITF offers New Look an informed, practical partnership to help us remain vigilant and diligent in our commitment to uphold human rights, be aware of vulnerable workers and make sure there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in any part of our operations.”
The ITF, through its General Secretary Stephen Cotton, acknowledges the pivotal role of transport workers in the global economy, emphasising their necessity in delivering products to UK high streets. Cotton remarked, “Transport workers play a central role in ensuring our clothing, often produced far away, reaches the shops on UK high streets. They are key workers in our global economy, and like all workers, they deserve to have their rights respected.” This statement underscores the collaborative effort between New Look and ITF to protect workers’ rights fundamentally.
New Look sources products from 19 countries, utilising sea, road, and limited air transport to ensure delivery to the UK and Ireland. The agreement stipulates several commitments, including promoting freedom of association for supply chain workers. It allows ITF-affiliated trade unions the right to organise and access logistics providers’ premises, reinforcing labour rights advocacy.
Additional measures include joint training sessions conducted by the ITF and its affiliates for New Look and its suppliers. Furthermore, New Look has committed to cooperating in remediation processes where necessary, engaging in collective bargaining with the ITF and relevant trade unions to address any grievances and ensure continuous improvement in labour rights protection.
New Look’s commitment to protecting supply chain workers underscores a broader industry move towards ethical practices.
