Primark and Topshop may have recruited children in supply chains

Two of Britain’s high-street giants, Topshop and Primark, have policies that allow people as young as 14 to be recruited to work in their supply chains, the Independent reports.

Both firms seem to be exploiting a legal loophole. Primark’s code of conduct says that it will not hire anyone under the age of 15, except in developing countries where there is a minimum working age of 14. Since some of Primark’s factories are based in India, Pakistan and Tanzania - where the minimum working age is 14 - children of that age may be hired to manufacture clothing.

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Arcadia, which owns Topshop, also abides by the same rules, meaning many clothes manufactured by the brand could have been made by young teenagers.

The supply-chain issues were highlighted on Tuesday when representatives from UK high street brands appeared before MPs to discuss sustainability and ethical practice within the fashion industry.