Primark in Tooting moved its grand opening day after the protest group War on Want planned to swamp it with a demonstration.

The store opened at 9am this morning instead of tomorrow, Saturday, when a demonstration was planned over allegations of unfair pay in overseas factories.

The decision was made after managers at the store were told by letter that the protest would take place.

Primark deny the change of schedule was a result of the planned protest, saying instead the shop was ready to open early.

Protesters are expected to continue with their demonstration planned for 9am tomorrow outside the shop in Mitcham Road.

It is is organised by anti-poverty charity War on Want and fair trade fashion company People Tree, which claim some workers have earned as little as 7p an hour.

Demands will include fair wages and humane conditions, as well as closer regulation from the British Government.

Primark has denied these claims are true, saying it is committed to the ethical treatment of suppliers.

Primark's statment in full:

“Primark shares and recognises many of the concerns raised. We acknowledge that conditions for workers in some factories do not always meet the high standards that we and other brands sourcing from these factories, expect.

Primark believes ethical business practices are of the highest importance and that is why we work tirelessly with our suppliers and other stakeholders, including those in Bangladesh, to raise standards and the welfare of the workers that depend on the orders placed at these factories.

Primark is working in several ways to continually improve ethical standards and working conditions among suppliers. Our extensive audit programme shows that some of our Bangladeshi factories already meet the highest ethical standards, being well run and having experienced management and excellent conditions for workers.

Others do need more work and Primark places a strong emphasis on remediation, working with these factories to improve standards. Many factories in Bangladesh have benefitted from this process so far with labour standards significantly improving, a trend which is set to continue into the future.

To this end, Primark has forged an important partnership in Bangladesh with NUK, an established and credible NGO with experience of over 20 years in addressing women’s rights and labour issues in the ready-made garment sector.

Through this partnership Primark seeks to identify and address key issues around equal rights, opportunities for growth and career enhancement, as well as training needs within some of the key suppliers in Bangladesh.

NUK's expertise in this area helps Primark provide employees and middle management at factories with more intensive support and training on ethical issues.

Furthermore, Primark has created a new Ethical Trade Manager position in Bangladesh. One of the first initiatives to be launched by the Ethical Trade Manager will be tailored ethical training for suppliers in Bangladesh.

Further plans are underway to recruit a female Ethical Trade Executive with a specific remit to focus on women’s issues in factories, which we know are particularly important in this context. This is an area of great importance to Primark.

Finally, Primark believes that by sourcing substantial orders from developing countries, the company is helping generate jobs in those countries which would not otherwise be available, particularly for women.

The work generated by Primark orders contribute to the livelihood of over half a million people in Bangladesh.

Primark is wholly committed to ensuring that its customers can continue to shop at Primark confident in its commitment to its ethics and its values.”

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