Apparel and General Merchandise Public Private Protocol

Some of Britain’s biggest fashion retailers have joined forces with enforcement bodies to help eradicate modern slavery from the UK textiles industry.

The Apparel and General Merchandise Public and Private Protocol commits signatories to work together to eradicate slavery and exploitation in textile supply chains. They have pledged to raise awareness to prevent worker exploitation, protect vulnerable and exploited workers and disrupt exploitative practices and help bring criminals to justice.

Enforcement bodies including the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Employment Agency Standards inspectorate, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), HMRC, Immigration Enforcement and the Insolvency Service have also signed the document, which is supported by industry bodies British Retail Consortium, UK Fashion and Textile Association, and auditing system Fast Forward.

By signing up to the protocol, organisations are doing so of their own free will with a view to assisting the GLAA in reducing opportunities for exploitation and slavery. In doing so, the GLAA makes no comment as to the current state of their employment and/or supply chain practices. Being a signatory to the protocol will not prevent enforcement action being taken should exploitative behaviour subsequently come to light.

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