Human trafficking and forced labor are crucial issues in today’s world. Even in the contemporary age, vulnerabilities for trafficking remain in the supply chains of numerous companies involved in providing products or services (Ma et al., 2016). For instance, opportunities for utilizing forced labor can be found in the supply chain of the Superdry enterprise focused on the production and distribution of clothing. To create and transport the merchandise, the corporation collaborates with suppliers who provide Superdry stores with apparel manufactured according to the firm’s demands and ethical codes (Superdry, n.d.a). Superdry’s supply chain starts with cotton and recycled fibers collectors on farms in the Far East, India, Sri Lanka, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (Superdry, n.d.b). Under the control of raw material suppliers, these resources are gathered and delivered to the manufacturers, where the merchandise is produced. After that, the items are shipped to the warehouses in the destination countries to be transported to the target stores for purchase.
Although Superdry’s supply chain is highly transparent, some vulnerabilities in the transportation process might allow for the emergence of human trafficking. For instance, while there are relevant codes protecting the human rights of workers in place, their fulfillment is mostly controlled in production factories. Preventing deviations from the rules generally becomes challenging on rural farms, where human trafficking might emerge (Marcketti & Karpova, 2020). In distinct areas of the Far East, India, and Africa, where the rates of forced labor are extremely high, it can be tremendously strenuous to ensure commitment to the established legislation (Voss et al., 2019). Furthermore, Superdry’s suppliers are free to create contracts with subcontractors of their choice (Superdry, n.d.b). Considering that such commitments might be difficult to regulate due to their locality and the firm’s large size, instances of forced labor might occur.
References
Ma, Y. J., Lee, H.-H., & Goerlitz, K. (2016). Transparency of global apparel supply chains: Quantitative analysis of corporate disclosures. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 23(5), 308–318. Web.
Marcketti, S. B., & Karpova, E. E. (2020). The dangers of fashion: Towards ethical and sustainable solutions. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Superdry. (n.d.a). Ethical trading code of practice. Web.
Superdry. (n.d.b). Transparency in the supply chain and modern slavery statement. Web.
Voss, H., Davis, M., Sumner, M., Waite, L., Ras, I. A., Singhal, D., & Jog, D. (2019). International supply chains: Compliance and engagement with the Modern Slavery Act. Journal of the British Academy, 7(s1), 61–76.