**Corporate Watchdog Probes Ralph Lauren over Alleged Forced Labor in China**.
**New York -** The Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE) has launched an investigation into Ralph Lauren Corp. following allegations that the company is using forced labor in its Chinese supply chain..
The allegations were first raised in a report by the Center for Public Integrity, which found that Ralph Lauren suppliers in China were using Uighur workers who were subjected to forced labor. The Uighurs are a Muslim minority group in China that has been facing increasing persecution from the government..
SHARE has asked Ralph Lauren to provide information about its supply chain and the steps it is taking to ensure that its products are not made with forced labor. The group has also asked Ralph Lauren to commit to working with its suppliers to eliminate forced labor from its supply chain..
Ralph Lauren has said that it is committed to ethical sourcing and that it does not tolerate forced labor in its supply chain. The company has also said that it is working with its suppliers to ensure that they are meeting its ethical standards..
The investigation by SHARE is the latest in a series of actions that the group has taken to address the issue of forced labor in the fashion industry. In 2020, SHARE filed a shareholder resolution with Gap Inc. asking the company to report on its efforts to eliminate forced labor from its supply chain. The resolution was passed by a majority of Gap’s shareholders..
SHARE is a non-profit organization that advocates for responsible corporate behavior. The group works with shareholders and companies to promote social and environmental justice..
**The Allegations**.
The allegations against Ralph Lauren were first raised in a report by the Center for Public Integrity, which was published in May 2022. The report found that several Ralph Lauren suppliers in China were using Uighur workers who were subjected to forced labor..
The report cited evidence from a number of sources, including interviews with former Uighur workers, government documents, and satellite imagery. The report found that Uighur workers were being forced to work in factories that were operated by Ralph Lauren suppliers. The workers were reportedly subjected to long hours, low pay, and poor working conditions..
The report also found that the Uighur workers were being forced to live in segregated dormitories and were being subjected to political indoctrination. The workers were reportedly not allowed to leave the dormitories without permission and were constantly monitored by security guards..
**Ralph Lauren’s Response**.
Ralph Lauren has said that it is committed to ethical sourcing and that it does not tolerate forced labor in its supply chain. The company has also said that it is working with its suppliers to ensure that they are meeting its ethical standards..
In a statement, Ralph Lauren said that it has a zero-tolerance policy for forced labor and that it conducts regular audits of its suppliers to ensure that they are meeting the company’s ethical standards. The company also said that it has a team of dedicated sustainability professionals who work with suppliers to help them improve their labor practices..
Ralph Lauren has also said that it is working with a number of organizations to address the issue of forced labor in the fashion industry. The company is a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) and the Sustainable Apparel Coalition (SAC)..
**The Investigation by SHARE**.
SHARE has launched an investigation into Ralph Lauren to determine whether the company is using forced labor in its supply chain. The group has asked Ralph Lauren to provide information about its supply chain and the steps it is taking to ensure that its products are not made with forced labor..
SHARE has also asked Ralph Lauren to commit to working with its suppliers to eliminate forced labor from its supply chain..
SHARE has said that it is committed to working with Ralph Lauren to ensure that the company is meeting its ethical standards. The group has also said that it will continue to monitor the situation and will take further action if necessary..
**The Issue of Forced Labor in the Fashion Industry**.
Forced labor is a serious problem in the fashion industry. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that there are over 25 million people worldwide who are victims of forced labor..
Forced labor can take many forms, including debt bondage, human trafficking, and prison labor. Victims of forced labor are often subjected to long hours, low pay, and poor working conditions. They may also be subjected to physical and sexual abuse..
The fashion industry is particularly vulnerable to forced labor because of its complex and often opaque supply chains. Brands often source their products from multiple suppliers in different countries, making it difficult to track the origin of their products and ensure that they are not made with forced labor..
A number of fashion brands have been accused of using forced labor in their supply chains. In 2021, H&M was accused of using forced labor in its supply chain in China. The company has since said that it is working to eliminate forced labor from its supply chain..
The issue of forced labor in the fashion industry is a complex one. There is no easy solution, but there are a number of steps that brands can take to address the problem. These steps include:.
* Conducting regular audits of their suppliers.
* Working with suppliers to improve their labor practices.
* Joining industry initiatives to address the issue of forced labor.
* Supporting organizations that are working to combat forced labor.
**Conclusion**.
The investigation by SHARE into Ralph Lauren is a welcome step towards addressing the issue of forced labor in the fashion industry. It is important for brands to be held accountable for their supply chains and to ensure that their products are not made with forced labor..
SHARE’s investigation will hopefully help to shed light on the issue of forced labor in the fashion industry and will lead to concrete steps being taken to address the problem..
