'Organic' and 'ethically sourced' cotton from farms selling to high street brands including H&M could be linked to child slave labourers in India, investigation finds Cotton branded as 'ethically produced' and sold to popular high street stores could be linked to farms employing child slave labourers in India, according to a new report.
The investigation by Transparentem, conducted between June 2022 and March 2023, found the 'worst forms of child labour' - meaning it's 'likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children' - and 'all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery' on cotton farms in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
Both Pratibha Syntex and Remei India have due diligence systems in place, enabling some visibility to prevent instances of harm; Transparentem is calling for the businesses to take an additionally refined approach.
Exposure to pesticides on farms is additionally harmful to children and, according to the investigation, is linked to chronic health issues in children, such as cancer.
Pratibha Syntex, founded in 1997, brands itself as a 'sustainable' manufacturer online, implementing 'organic farming practices' and taking 'pride in fostering an inclusive and empowering work environment'.
