An investigation has been launched in Canada into fashion company Ralph Lauren Canada over allegations that it has used Uyghur forced labour, the Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise announced on Tuesday.
A similar process was launched last month into the practices of the Canadian subsidiary of US giant Nike as well as mining company Dynasty Gold.
A complaint submitted in June 2022 by a coalition of 28 Canadian organisations stated that Ralph Lauren Canada had sourcing relationships with companies that use or profit from Uyghur forced labour.
The initial assessment report, available online on the Canadian government’s website, explains that the complainants had asked the company to sever its ties with three Chinese companies suspected of using forced labour to which members of China's Uyghur Muslim minority were subjected.
Ombudsperson Sheri Meyerhoffer said in a statement that she had decided that the complaint warranted investigation. She added that each complaint is assessed thoroughly and effectively by her team.
In response, Ralph Lauren, the US parent company, pointed out that it oversaw the “overseas activities” of its Canadian subsidiary, and that the ombudsman’s office had no jurisdiction over the matter, the report said.
On Tuesday, the Ottawa-based Uyghur Rights Project welcomed the launch of the formal investigation.
The group said in a statement that there was strong evidence that the fashion company was linked to numerous Chinese companies that use Uyghur forced labour in their supply chains.
In February 2021, the Canadian Parliament passed a non-binding motion likening China’s treatment of its Uyghur minority to “genocide,” angering Beijing.
