Boohoo has been brought to the spotlight throughout the years 2020 and 2021 for the allegations of violations carried out by them. Many serious concerns such as violation of workers’ rights, poor covid-19 measures in the production sites, poor working conditions for employees, etc. Additionally, the Boohoo business model is known to be based on the idea of fast fashion which has repeatedly proven to have serious repercussions on the environment. Let us see Is Boohoo ethical?
A little backstory
Boohoo Group Plc is an online British Fashion retailer brand that was founded in 2006 in Manchester. The brand was aimed to target the age group of 16-30-year-olds. They are known for their fashionable clothes that evolve and keep up with the various trends. They are known to have over 36,000 products.
Boohoo has then moved on to buy Debenhams, Dorothy Perkins, Principles, Burton, etc. The brand makes the clothes it sells, with the majority of them being produced in Britain. The brand prides itself in dropping over ‘500 new products each week’. However, this has pushed the company to have an ethical rating of 3 due to its lack of sustainability and exploitative nature.
Ethical Issues
Covid 19 and Working conditions
Studies show that Boohoo sales experienced a boost of 44% during the lockdown. This wouldn’t be too shocking considering that the factory workers were made to work with slim social distancing practices and protective wear.
During the peak of covid-19, Boohoo factory outlets in England raised concerns about the lack of sanitation practices that were carried out, not meeting minimum wage requirements, continued operations during lockdowns, etc. Additionally, workers were not granted paid leaves even if they caught the virus. They were asked to come in while sick without informing those around them.
A good chunk of their garments emerges from UK factories, to be more specific, from Leicester. The claims of modern slavery led to the overall ethical standing of the brand taking a hit.
Furthermore, Boohoo continues limited information about its various policies and audits. Additionally, they have not disclosed any information regarding the multiple claims of mistreatment of workers, gender equality, or any other issues that were presented.
Environmental Concerns
While the evidence is slim the brand has some proof of using eco-friendly materials in their production process. They make greenhouse gas emissions reports to the direct operation. However, there seems to be no or little evidence that the brand has carried out active action to eliminate the use of hazardous products. Additionally, no water reduction or waste discharge initiatives have been publicly discussed by them.
In 2016, Boohoo did not appear to be one among those who signed the Sustainable Clothing Action Plan (SCAP) to reduce their water, waste, and carbon footprint. However, this has since changed. The website states the various initiatives made by Boohoo to use renewable energy, use sustainable products, as well as their waste discharge practices, remove excessive plastic packaging, and more.
This is progress, compared to them previously doing absolutely nothing. However, we cannot be completely oblivious to the major underlying flaws in the system. First and foremost is the fact that Boohoo as a brand does not consist of a business model that will ever be fully ethical.
However, in 2019, Boohoo was ranked by the Environmental Audit Committee as among the least sustainable fashion brands in the UK.
Financial Concerns
Boohoo was made by Ethical Consumer for its Antisocial Financial patterns. The underpayment comes from the fact that brands require products to be made at extremely cheap rates. It was noted that over Directors were paid over £1 million in total compensation.
Ethical consumers believed this remuneration to be way over the required levels. This shows how the company could not afford to pay more because they choose not to. The issues of modern slavery and underpayment contradicted their high remuneration levels.
Additionally, the company is also believed to have potential links to various tax-havens. There seems to exist a lack of transparency on the company’s side.
Conclusion on Is Boohoo ethical?
The issues are not just concerned with Boohoo, it is a concern for all of the fast-fashion industry. The results of which have social as well as environmental effects. The various concerns of offshored raw materials, the half legal payment, the chemical pollution as well as the lack of sustainable and recycling practices.
While it is highly evident that there exists a class of people that can only afford such purchases, it is high time to make more long-term sustainable investments when it comes to fashion. The production of such a huge amount of clothes needs to be made more harmonious with nature to be made planet and the people. Asking questions, being informed, and making wise decisions are a big part of shopping in addition to how good the product looks.
Additionally, this fast churning of clothes leads to the adoption of a “throw-away culture” which makes us assume that we need to buy more to keep up with the various trends, which is a big no-no for the industry.
