Leading multinational retailer M&S to ban Xinjiang cotton in its apparels over alleged treatment of its Muslim Uighur minority. The retailers said in a statement that it had become ‘one of the first companies to formally sign the call to action on human rights abuses’ in relation to Xinjiang. Around 80 per cent of China’s cotton is grown in the Uighur region, which is almost 20 per cent of global production. It is pertinent to mention here that M&S is already amongst the few retailers that do not work with any supplier in or sourcing from Xinjiang. “This is in line with the company’s long-term focus on ensuring its supply chains are sustainable and ethical, where workers are treated fairly, and their human rights are respected,” the company said. Anti-Slavery International has welcomed the M&S step. Its ED Jasmine O’Connor said, “We welcome the leadership shown by Marks and Spencer today… providing assurance to its consumers that M&S products will not be linked to the abuses of Uighurs.” Across the globe, brands and retailers are boycotting Uighur and even China also as almost 2 years ago, US-based Badger Sportswear announced it would stop sourcing clothing from the Chinese apparel company Hetian Taida, over concerns it was using forced labour from internment camps in Xinjiang.
