Lingerie maker Victoria’s Secret is suspected of using child labour.
December 18, 2011- A report says the parent company of Victoria’s Secret uses cotton grown by a farm that employs child labor. Victoria’s Secret promised a complete investigation into the matter.
Limited Brands, the parent company, said it is very concerned over the allegations. It said the cotton referred to in the report is from Burkina Faso, a West Africa nation and is used only in a small portion of panty styles for Victoria’s Secret.
The Limited Brands’ statement read, “If the allegation is found to be factual, it is contrary to all the values of our company, our sourcing standards and labor code that all of our suppliers are required to meet. These standards prohibit all child labor.”
Victoria’s Secret is known worldwide for underwear and other intimate wear. It calls itself one of the world’s most glamorous and sexy stores. The store’s recent fashion show was aired in over 90 countries.
The statement from Limited Brands was prompted by a report that detailed how a 13-year old girl was beaten by the owner of the farm she works at in Burkina Faso. The report says the cotton picked at the farm by the girl was exported to factories and fashioned into underwear by Victoria’s Secret.
Child labor is not uncommon in Africa but the report says the farm is listed as fair trade and organic and said those farms, as well as others, should not use child labor, let alone abuse workers.
