High-end store comes under fire

The NGO Jobs with Justice along with War on Want recently said Banana Republic was sourcing clothes made by workers who are paid a measly amount.

Top global labels have often been accused of sourcing their stuff from third world factories which do not pay the right wages. The NGO Jobs with Justice along with War on Want recently said Banana Republic was sourcing clothes made by workers who are paid a measly amount. Actually, just 15 pence an hour, and these workers are based out of Delhi.

Workers in Banana Republic's vendor factory also work 70 hours a week, according to the NGO, which released the data last week in the UK, at a time when the US brand is opening its first European store in London.

Simon McRae, senior campaigns officer at War on Want, said: "This sweatshop shame represents the latest example of high-street retailers breaking their pledges to ensure decent wages and conditions for overseas workers.

Now, Gordon Brown must act to halt this exploitation." War on Want also contrasted the US brand's turnover, which stands at the $2.5 billion, with the workers' meagre pay.

Gap Inc, the holding company for Banana Republic, responded to these charges and said through Dan Henkle, Gap Inc's senior vice-president of social responsibility: "Gap Inc condemns unfair working conditions, such as the type of wage and hour violations described in this case.

In fact, if we found that a factory deliberately concealed information or misled an investigation, we would immediately take steps that could ultimately lead to the termination of the factory."

"We have launched an immediate investigation into the allegations brought to our attention. We are looking at the factories in that area where production on our clothing is done "" factories which also do work for a number of other retailers "" and plan to take appropriate action."

Gap Inc in its statement further clarified it has a team of approximately 90 employees around the world dedicated to ensuring compliance with its Code of Vendor Conduct. This includes regularly conducting announced and unannounced factory visits, which include talking with workers to hear how they are being treated. In 2006, the compnay revoked its approval of 23 factories for compliance violations.

War on Want on an earlier occassion had brought to light a leading Bangalore manufacturer producing clothes for other top brands by paying workers only £38 a month "" less than three-quarters of a living wage.