Beyonce brand Ivy Park denies ‘slavery’ in Lankan factory

17 May 2016 12:34 pm - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Beyonce’s workout clothing line, Ivy Park, has denied claims by The Sun newspaper of running a sweatshop in its Sri Lanka factory, the Irish Examiner reported today.

It has been alleged that Beyonce’s sportswear brand is made by workers who earn 44 pence an hour in squalid conditions.

The range was created to “support and inspire women”, but its Sri Lankan workers earn just 4.30 sterling pounds a day, the Sun tabloid had claimed.

The Sun reported that Anti-Slavery International campaigner Jakub Sobik has attacked Beyonce’s brand, saying: “With what is being described here, this is a form of sweat-shop slavery…

“Companies like Topshop have a duty to find out if these things are happening, and it has long been shown that ethical inspections by these companies are failing.”

The company is not breaking any laws, as the legal minimum wage in Sri Lanka is 13,500 rupees a month — or £140 — but campaigners feel it should be 43,000 rupees, or £450.

A Topshop spokesperson defended Beyonce’s range: “Ivy Park has a rigorous ethical trading programme. We are proud of our sustained efforts, in terms of factory inspections and audits, and our teams work very closely with our suppliers and their factories to ensure compliance.”

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Comments - 15

Bingo Tuesday, 17 May 2016 12:55 PM

Hey Beyonce, set an example by raising salaries to $400 for those poor workers. You'll get less profit but at least you'll have great legacy when you leave this world.

annoyed Tuesday, 17 May 2016 12:58 PM

Local party should give a fair picture, if remuneration consists of food lodging transport medical etc. West usually dont have such added components.

CS Tuesday, 17 May 2016 01:41 PM

Is this a MAS garment factory?

Bongo Tuesday, 17 May 2016 01:52 PM

Hey Bingo, if they raise salaries to $400 then the Sri Lankan workers are the ones who'll lose. Beyonce can make the same clothes elsewhere nearer to Europe or US for that price.

lkboy Tuesday, 17 May 2016 02:00 PM

Now everyone will want to work for Ivy Park.

moorkara Tuesday, 17 May 2016 02:12 PM

first of all ..we every one should ignored this sun paper ...this is .30p tabloid ...read by the idiots...so majority of..good things only appear in ...papers like guardianindependent times..so this should be ignored.. via DM Android App

Citizen Tuesday, 17 May 2016 02:27 PM

Hey Bongo in USA no one works for 400.00 month. In Japan it is over 3000.00 a month. Hey Bongo without encouraging western slavery in our mother land stand by our people in the rich positive. via DM Android App

Bingo Tuesday, 17 May 2016 02:38 PM

Yo Bongo, Do you know average salary in US or any developed country?

usaguy Tuesday, 17 May 2016 03:33 PM

in USA minimum wage in most states is around 8.00 an hour. you dont get paid for lunch break and you pay for health insurance and all most 20% for taxes. you do the math. via DM Android App

expat Tuesday, 17 May 2016 03:58 PM

There's a reason why most things are made in china and not in the USA or any Developed country. The cost of production (mainly wage cost) is too high. There's also a reason why most go to places like China, Vietnam, Bangladesh & Cambodia , despite Sri Lanka having better skilled workers and arguably better facilities. The wage cost is lower in those countries.

Henry Tuesday, 17 May 2016 04:39 PM

This clearly proves the true wage of factory workers in Sri Lanka although the Government is boasting about Initial Rs. 5,000/= and current Rs. 10,000/- increase to Govt. Sector showing how the true hard workers of the country who contributes to export market are being treated!

Joseph Tuesday, 17 May 2016 04:45 PM

Get your facts right, 14,000 rupees is less than £70!

tissa Tuesday, 17 May 2016 06:10 PM

We have to move away from low paid jobs to attract FDI We have to specialize in Science and technology and skilled work. Garment factories were for the 1980's not for the 21st century Sri Lanka. Same for export of women to middle east. Its only poverty due to our politicians, mismanagement that makes us slaves of the 21st century.

Chatura Tuesday, 17 May 2016 06:15 PM

Yes, you're correct,

Cheers Wednesday, 18 May 2016 03:48 AM

Only our cricketers and the politicians get paid handsome robbed money and they look after themselves screw the people unfortunate has been the case for decades

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Beyonce brand Ivy Park denies ‘slavery’ in Lankan factory

Comments - 15

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