UK retailer New Look has committed to protecting transport workers’ rights in its supply chain.
- Partnering with the International Transport Workers Union (ITF), New Look aims to enhance the safety and sustainability of its transport operations.
- A new memorandum of understanding (MoU) will guide New Look in human rights due diligence across its supply chain.
- The agreement includes commitments to advance freedom of association and provide training for workers.
- New Look emphasises vigilance against modern slavery and human trafficking in all aspects of their operations.
UK clothing retailer New Look has taken significant steps to ensure the protection of transport workers’ rights in its supply chain. By signing an agreement with the International Transport Workers Union (ITF), New Look aims to enhance the safety, resilience, and sustainability of its transport operations, which are crucial for delivering products to its 391 stores across the UK and Ireland.
The partnership with ITF includes conducting human rights due diligence (HRDD) in collaboration with ITF to oversee both directly operated and subcontracted transport operations. This ensures the rights of transport workers involved in getting clothing from production sites around the world to UK high streets are respected.
As part of the new memorandum of understanding (MoU), New Look and the ITF are committed to improving the conditions within transport supply chains. New Look’s senior head of ESG, quality and sourcing, Sue Fairley, described the collaboration as a practical means to remain vigilant in protecting human rights, especially for vulnerable workers. This is aimed at preventing modern slavery and human trafficking.
The agreement also acknowledges the pivotal role transport workers play in the global economy. According to ITF General Secretary, Stephen Cotton, “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.”
Further commitments by New Look include promoting freedom of association for supply chain transport workers, ensuring that ITF’s affiliated trade unions have the right to organise and enter logistics providers. Furthermore, joint training sessions involving New Look and its suppliers will be conducted, promoting awareness and understanding of workers’ rights.
New Look sources products from 19 countries, using sea, road, and a limited amount of air transport to deliver goods to the UK and Ireland. The collaboration with ITF includes efforts to provide or cooperate in remediation through collective bargaining with respective unions, when necessary.
New Look’s partnership with ITF marks a decisive step towards a more ethical and sustainable supply chain.
