The Burma Campaign UK today welcomed an announcement by clothing retailer Bonmarché that it has stopped sourcing clothes from Burma.
The Burma Campaign UK is in the process of contacting all major clothing retailers as it compiles a ‘dirty list’ of those sourcing from Burma. Bonmarché made its decision after being contacted by the Burma Campaign UK.
“We are delighted that Bonmarché has taken this decision”, said Yvette Mahon, Director of Burma Campaign UK. “As soon as we made them aware of the situation in Burma they responded positively to our request that they stop sourcing there. If only every retailer acted as responsibly. They have taken a principled stand and deserve credit for doing so. We hope those retailers still sourcing from Burma will follow their lead.”
Clothing exports are an important source of income for the dictatorship in Burma. The Burma Campaign UK is calling on retailers to stop sourcing from Burma as part of its campaign to cut the economic lifeline of the dictatorship.
Earlier this year Kookai announced it was to stop sourcing from Burma because of ethical concerns raised by customers. Other major clothing retailers with policies not to source from Burma include Marks & Spencer, H&M, BHS, Next and Ann Summers.
Later this year the Burma Campaign UK will be publishing a ‘dirty list’ of companies sourcing from Burma, and a ‘clean list’ of companies with policies not to source from Burma.
For more information contact Yvette Mahon, Director, or Mark Farmaner, Media Officer, on 020 7281 7377