Recognising the devastating impact COVID-19 pandemic is having on the global textile industry, Kihak Sung, chairman of the Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI), said: "It certainly has been extremely challenging times for all stakeholders involved in this unprecedented crisis."

"We have recently became aware of Kohl’s unilateral decision to cancel orders already produced and in-production without prior consultation, which has caused an unprecedented disruption to the supply chain and put at risk the livelihoods of nearly 200,000 workers at factories throughout the developing countries of Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Haiti," Sung said in a KOFOTI press release.

"These order cancellations and payment term extensions are putting these factories at risk of having to shut down operations and send workers home indefinitely," Sung added.

Moreover, the human suffering and economic damages are also being felt at many fabric mills in Korea supplying fabrics to these overseas factories, Sung said, and added that it is worth noting that some other US retailers are requesting payment term extensions and even cancelled orders in some cases, but not without liability.

"On behalf of the Korean textile and apparel industry, we strongly urge Kohl's to reconsider the recent decision to cancel orders and not make use of “force majeure clauses” in the contracts with their supply chain vendor partners. Kohl's should not turn its back on the moral and social responsibilities it has towards these workers in the supply chain," Sung said.

It must be underscored that major brands and retailers like H&M, Zara and Primark have recently made commitments to pay textile workers in developing countries after intense scrutiny from the media.

"We are calling on Kohl's to resolve this matter amicably with its supply chains including sewing factories, fabric mills and trim suppliers. Now more than ever, all stakeholders in the supply chain must cooperate more closely and look for creative solutions to survive this crisis together," KOFOTI chairman said.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS)