In December 2018 some of Britain’s biggest fashion retailers joined forces with enforcement bodies through the Apparel and General Merchandise Public and Private Protocol (AGM PPP) which committed signatories to work together to raise awareness to prevent worker exploitation, protect vulnerable and exploited workers and disrupt exploitative practices and help bring criminals to justice.

In October 2020, recognising the need to act together, particularly to address unethical practices in UK fast fashion, a wider group of stakeholders came together to work collaboratively within the AGM PPP structure. While there have been initiatives taken by a number of stakeholders, there has not to date been a coordinated approach that brings together the industry, from manufacturers to retail, workers and those that represent them, government both national and local, with others such as community groups and associations. 

The labour market enforcement bodies make no comment as to the current state of participating organisations employment and/or supply chain practices. Being a signatory to the protocol does not prevent enforcement action being taken should exploitative behaviour subsequently come to light. 

The AGM PPP Mission is - We will work together to improve employment and working conditions and eradicate slavery and exploitation in the Apparel and General Merchandise supply chain in the UK by:

• Raising awareness to prevent the exploitation of workers
• Protecting vulnerable and exploited workers
• Disrupting exploitative practices and bringing criminals to justice
• Protecting the rights of all workers and promoting decent work, ensuring the inclusion of worker and community voice 

The AGM PPP Group Objectives

• Develop an integrated approach to tackle the underlying problems and promote good practice
• Enhance co-operation and collaboration between stakeholders
• Identify and work collaboratively on jointly agreed policy and strategic workstreams
• Develop a ‘Protocol Accord’ to update and replace the current Protocol. The ‘Protocol Accord’ will be an enforceable agreement with accountable commitments signed by stakeholders committing to our joint mission.

Current participating organisations in the AGM PPP process are:

Brands and Retailers - Arcadia, ASOS, Boohoo, Fat Face, Fred Perry, in The Style, John Lewis, Liberty London, Marks & Spencer, Missguided, Morrisons (Nutmeg), New Look, NEXT, Primark, Quiz Clothing, River Island, Shop Direct / The Very Group, Ted Baker, Tesco, Yours Clothing.

Public bodies - DWP, Employment Agency Standards, GLAA, HMRC Fraud, HMRC NMW Enforcement, Home Office, HSE, Insolvency Service, Leicester City Council, National Crime Agency, Office of the Director of Labour Market Enforcement, Office of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner

NGOs / Civil Society - ACT, Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), Fashion Roundtable, Focus On Labour Exploitation (FLEX), Highfields Centre, Hope for Justice, Labour Behind The Label, Leicester Unemployed Workers Centre Limited, Slave Free Alliance, TUC.

Others - British Retail Consortium, Fashion Enter, Fast Forward, National Bed Federation, The Re-Assurance Network, The University of Manchester, UK Fashion & Textiles Association, University of Leicester

All participating organisations are required to actively participate in at least one joint Task and Finish workstream as follows:

1. Worker and community voice, grievance mechanisms, worker support, protection and remediation
2. Intervention mechanisms – audit, intelligence sharing and enforcement
3. Business accountability - Transparency pledge and responsible purchasing practices
4. Regulation, legislation and political engagement

If you'd like more information about the AGM PPP please email: Apparel-protocol@gla.gov.uk