Call on the U.K. government to Stop Supermarket Exploitation!

Dear Sir/Madam,

On the behalf of War on Want, I, Neeraj Pall, call on the U.K. government to create a pro-active and independent watchdog that will make sure supermarkets ensure a fair wage and living for workers overseas that makes the clothing the supermarkets sell and also holds the companies responsible for their actions if any sort of mis-treatment has been done against the workers.

According to the human rights organization War on Want and the reports by Sunday Times on the issue, workers in Bangladesh who are making clothing for ASDA, Matalan and Marks & Spencer's are earning up to as little as 7p a hour for up to 80 hours work which is just 5.60 pound a day; around 28 pound if they work 5 days a week; and 112 pound a month if one does the calculations. Also in the reports, it is said that the living conditions of the workers are very poor as they live in 6ft by 9ft rooms with their partner or relative and some workers also happen to work an extra 65 hours of overtime which is way over the legal limit. I believe this to be highly un-acceptable, un-ethical and not fair to the workers.

I hope that the U.K. government will be able to create the supermarket watchdog that I believe will help to reduce such mis-treatment and un-fairness against the workers whom face hardship just so they can live and provide for their loved ones after War on Want has forced the government with the petitions along with the other methods they are using to fight against the oppression the workers are dealing with.

Together, you and I with this petition, can help the workers overseas to have their rights as a worker. It's the small things like this that can help contribute to a big difference.

Yours Sincerely,
Neeraj Pall.