Primark's Negative Ethical Issues

Primark have had numerous negative ethical issues in their lifespan. Significant problems started to arise in 2005 when Primark scored the lowest of all leading clothing chains in the UK scoring a very low 3.5 out of 20 on the Ethical Index. This index ranks companies based on their overall ethics including criteria such as worker’s rights. Primark were strongly blasted for this low score and to regain its now damaged reputation, Primark decided to join the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), a NGO of an international alliance of companies and trade unions working in partnership to improve the lives of workers across the globe.. However Primark were then subject of criticism again due to unethical business behaviours in Bangladesh supply factories along with Tesco and Asda. (Journal of International Management)
Following their struggles in 2005, in 2008 the BBC
The factory manufactured garments for 28 brands, one of these being Primark. As a result of this catastrophe Primark has worked with local partners in Bangladesh on a programme of support and compensation for victims over the last 12 months.The company’s actions to date include financial support such as long-term compensation and support services for the workers and families who were working in the factory that produced garments for Primark, equivalent to $11 million, short-term financial assistance to 3639 workers and their families, equivalent to nine months’ salary, an additional $1.0 million payment made to non-Primark supply chain workers to the Rana Plaza Donors Trust Fund. Primark also aided building safety by conducting surveys to assess the structural safety of factories which they use. They also gave some emergency relief to over 1256 for five weeks folllowing the collapse and support to workers who went to hospital or are receiving medical treatment. (Primark Ethical