In December last year, the following news story concerning The Arcadia Group (Topman, Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Wallis, Burton, Miss Selfridge and Evans) came to our attention:
Fortune Garment Company in Cambodia is a supplier for a number of UK high street retailers, including the Arcadia brands Wallis, Dorothy Perkins and Topshop. In May 2004 over 1000 workers signed a petition requesting a pay increase. As their request was rejected a legal strike was organised. The result was the unfair dismissal of 19 union leaders and 120 union members, who have yet to be reinstated. No Arcadia representatives were present at a recent meeting to discuss the dispute.
As a result a last minute day of action was organised, encouraging you to print off a letters and hand them in to Arcadia stores. Around a hundred were downloaded, which was fantastic considering it was such short notice.
The day was arranged to coincide with a similar action targeting Arcadia organised by Labour Behind the Label.
AS A RESULT
The Labour Behind the Label campaign was picked up by The Guardian and featured as their Campaign of the Week.
This generated a response from Philip Green (the owner of Arcadia and the fifth richest man in Britain), who personally phoned Labour Behind the Label to discuss the action that had been taking place.
A letter has been sent to Mr Green following this discussion outlining our concerns.
Thanks again to all of you who took action, you undoubtedly contributed to the impact of the day.
Please continue to pray
- That Philip Green is willing to engage in further discussions
- For increased awareness of the issues among Arcadia staff
- For wisdom for Tearfund and Labour Behind the Label as we decide how to follow up this development