Uk’s well know fashion retailer, Monsoon has been accused of unethical behaviour.

I found today in a British newspaper (The Guardian) a very interesting article about a company who stands for ethical behaviour. But instead of being rewarded for their policy there are accused of child labor and wages below the minimum wage.  

So I think this article fits as a example about unethical behaviour.

Monsoon is a British clothing giant with over 1000 stores in 54 countries. It has been founded in 1973 and since then they are proud to show there well-known slogan “Living our values and ethics since 1973” and on their website you can find another delicate sentence: "We know our responsibility extends beyond your wardrobe." Last year it was even rewarded as the best ethical company in the UK.

Now the Observe (a British critical magazine) has discovered that in Indian and in Chinese Monsoons clothing factories, there was child labor, women were underpaid and the working-conditions were unacceptable.  

The spokesman from Monsoon told the press that they are acquainted with this problem and that they try to prevent it. Peter Simon (the owner and CEO from Monsoon) even told the Observer that it is the only company that publishes their own ethical investigation and that the company deals with subcontractors that don’t follow the ethical rules of Monsoon.

The only remaining question is: Will this turn against clothing giant Monsoon?

Thomas Deryckere

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/nov/21/monsoon-child-labour-india