The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) has initiated an investigation into Walmart, Hugo Boss, and the clothing brand Diesel over allegations that these companies have exploited the forced labour of China’s ethnic Uighur minority. The investigation follows claims from civil society groups last year accusing the firms of using Chinese suppliers involved in forced labour practices in the Xinjiang region.
CORE decided to proceed with the investigation after these companies declined to engage in a preliminary assessment regarding the allegations. Sheri Meyerhoffer, CORE’s spokesperson, stated that the investigation aims to provide the companies with an opportunity to furnish additional relevant information. Meyerhoffer expressed hope that the investigation’s findings would assist the companies in enhancing their due diligence practices.
The spokesperson for Hugo Boss asserted that the claims against the company are baseless. The spokesperson emphasized Hugo Boss’s commitment to not sourcing any goods from the Xinjiang region and maintaining a strict stance against all forms of modern slavery, including forced or compulsory labour. They also mentioned that the investigation was based on a supplier relationship which had already been terminated the previous year.
As of the report, Walmart and Diesel had not issued any comments in response to the investigation.
Human rights groups have reported that over one million Uighurs and other Muslim minorities have been subjected to human rights violations in camps in Xinjiang. Alleged abuses include forced labour, forced sterilisation, physical abuse, and other severe human rights infringements. The Chinese government, however, has denied these allegations of human rights abuses and genocide, contending that the vocational education and training centres in the region have significantly reduced extremism and poverty.
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