Primark confirms low-wage claims

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An independent investigation on behalf of fashion chain Primark has confirmed workers for one of its suppliers were paid less than £3.50 an hour.

An undercover BBC investigation found TNS Knitwear Ltd in Manchester was employing illegal workers and paying them less than the minimum wage.

Primark said there were "no excuses" for the workers' treatment.

It added if the company did not improve, Primark would reserve the right not to award it new contracts.

The BBC News reporter, a non-UK national, had been given a job without being asked about her right to work.

She discovered some employees were working 12-hour days, seven days a week, for less than the minimum wage of £5.73 an hour.

In one section there was no heating, with many working in their coats.

TNS Knitwear denied the claims and said some were fabricated.

Payslips fabricated

The auditors' report said there was no evidence workers were coerced into working overtime.

But it said it was impossible to be certain as there were no accurate records and they believed payslips had been fabricated to understate the hours worked.

They said cash payments to casual workers in November and December may have been no more than £3.50 an hour.

It added this was not because of insufficient profit margins from Primark, but due to the custom and practice in the textile community in that area.

The report said auditors had not been able to establish the hours worked at the company, as workers "could not be believed".

But it said it was possible they may regularly work in excess of 48 hours a week.

Many of the issues identified in the audit are totally unacceptable to Primark Primark spokesman

A Primark spokesman said it was the third time in less than a year auditors had inspected TNS, and it was "very disappointed."

"There are no excuses. We are absolutely committed to ensuring that the factories who sell to us treat their workers fairly and equitably.

"Many of the issues identified in the audit are totally unacceptable to Primark and the company is determined that standards at this supplier must improve if it is to remain part of the Primark supply chain."

Primark will help the supplier improve its practices, he said.

"However, if TNS Knitwear cannot improve its standards even with the benefit of external help, Primark reserves the right to refuse to place new contracts with this company," he added.

The BBC News investigation also found Peacocks clothing being manufactured at TNS Knitwear, and the fashion chain has also launched an investigation.

Primark is best known for its cheap fashion clothing and bucked the trend on Britain's high street last year to make a £233m profit.

On its website, it claims to deliver fast fashion without breaking its ethical code or exploiting its workers.