Fast fashion giant Boohoo has defended its position after a media investigation alleged that workers are still being exploited in Leicester's textile industry.
According to the Sky News report, anti-slavery charity Hope of Justice said the audit and enforcement approach to clamp down on workforce exploitation is not working "because factory bosses are getting really creative and innovative" in how they hide it.
However, the Manchester-headquartered company said it "is committed to the highest standards of ethical compliance within its supply chain".
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In a statement issued to the London Stock Exchange, it added: "Suppliers are wholly expected to adhere to these standards, and any concerns such as those raised by Sky News are immediately investigated.
"Since last year's Independent Review, the group has repeatedly stated its determination in rebuilding a garment industry in Leicester with a robust, fair and transparent supply chain.
"Suppliers are visited more frequently, sub-contracting has been removed, products can only be purchased from our approved supplier list; mandatory whistle-blower helplines have been installed at every supplier; and the use of technology is allowing the group to forensically monitor suppliers and their financial records."
The names were released earlier this year after Boohoo accepted all the recommendations of a probe led by senior lawyer Allison Levitt.
That review found major failings in its supply chain in England in the wake of allegations in the Sunday Times about working conditions and low pay.
Boohoo added: "Over the course of the next 12 months, we are transitioning all of our suppliers to the Fast Forward forensic auditing model, widely recognised as the leading auditing model in the UK."
Boohoo also said it continues to work closely with local authorities such as the GLAA, as well as anti-slavery charity Hope for Justice.
As part of the statement, Boohoo quoted the charity as previously saying: "Boohoo have been proactive in their measures to mitigate the risk of labour exploitation within their supply chains, and have made a strong commitment to tackling the unscrupulous and exploitative employment practices that still sadly exist within some suppliers to the garment industry.
"We welcome Boohoo's work with Fashion Enter and the new textile academy in Leicester, as well as their collaboration with Hope for Justice and our business-focused division Slave-Free Alliance on proposed awareness and prevention initiatives in the industry to better evaluate what intervention methods will be most effective."
Boohoo's group CEO John Lyttle added: "As a group, we are wholly confident that the significant steps that we have taken over the last twelve months are resulting in a fair, robust and transparent supply chain.
"The Ggoup continues to closely monitor its suppliers, with swift action taken against any suppliers who fail to demonstrate the high standards that we expect.
"Nobody has done more to drive change in Leicester than ourselves, and our work continues unabated."
