Dr Aidan McQuade, Director of Anti-Slavery International, said: “Until the brands implicated in this research take concrete and credible action to end slavery in Tamil Nadu’s garment and textile sector then the destroyed lives of so many girls and young women will remain a heavy but unacknowledged cost on the balance sheets of international business.”

Anti-Slavery International privately approached brands which procure garments from Tamil Nadu in November 2010, asking for them to commit to jointly working to end slavery in their supply chains. This commitment would have sought to ensure, with sustained work with civil society and trade unions, freedom of movement and association for workers, that workers are above the minimum age and paid the minimum wage. The commitment also asked companies to assist former workers, many now suffering poor health, to obtain compensation.

Anti-Slavery International