Bershka
In March 2020, Zara, which like Bershka is part of the Inditex group, was named in ASPI’s report as one of at least 82 global brands whose supply chains were highly likely to contain Uyghur forced labour. In response to the report, Inditex said that the company has not directly or indirectly engaged with the specific factory identified in the report.
In December 2020, Inditex published a statement on its website calling reports of forced labor in Xinjiang “highly concerning” and stating that it did not have relationships with any factories in Xinjiang. However, in March 2021, this statement was removed; Inditex’s website still mentions its “zero tolerance policy towards any form of forced labour” in its section on labour rights, without making any direct mention of the Uyghurs or the Xinjiang region.
In July 2021, Inditex was named in a French investigation into allegations that fashion brands were profiting from exploiting forced labour in Xinjiang. Inditex strongly denied the accusations and said that traceability controls are carried out “rigorously” on their clothing. They also said they will fully cooperate with the French investigation.