Comments on: Viking Raid t-shirts bought from unethical supplier

By: Alistair

Alistair — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:29:28 +0000

My google search on Steven Prussia has led me to this site. I’m working for a british retailer and I used to visit the community of knitters when I happened to be in Antananarivo. So I’m fully aware of the issue the knitters have with this “buyer”. I do agree we should continue to promote the essence of Fairtrade. Because we are now living in a wired world, I believe that the likes of Mr Prussia will be put out of action with time.

By: Jason Rose

Jason Rose — Fri, 29 May 2009 12:41:03 +0000

Well, it isn’t really. Fairtrade only give out to people who are reliable and retract when they are found not to be. The fact that he stole clothing doesn’t mean that he wasn’t acting perfectly well before that and he may not be a Fairtrade salesman any more (I don’t know the details)

What’s more important is looking at the list and making it complete. Fruit of the Loom, Gildan etc. claim to be ethical – and I can’t find places that suggest they’re not at the moment. But I can’t find many places that say they are, either, except for those that sell their products. It’s of concern!

By: Zara

Zara — Fri, 29 May 2009 09:27:08 +0000

Ethical sourcing/Fairtrade is just a myth. A Wembley based and fairtrade licensed buyer, Steven Prussia, stole a consignment of Sabre-labelled knitwear (worth over £28,000) from a small community of hand-knitters in Madagascar back in December 2006. He then took off and disappeared into thin air. The whole range of clothing was later spotted at Allders in Croydon while the cushion provided by the small operation to the knitters and their families against the darkness of hunger and starvation has been fast deflating. I just came back from that place and it’s really sad to see such a talented pool of knitters being crippled by this “fairtrade” buyer.

By: Iain Boyd

Iain Boyd — Thu, 10 May 2007 17:11:27 +0000

As the Sales Manager for the Stedman brand, I can categorically state that HBI ( Hanes Brands Incorportaed ) run the very highest ethical standards in garment manufacture. See global trading standards on the Hanes brands website. http://www.hanesbrands.com

The Stedman brand is not manufactured in Mexico and any link to such manufacture and comparison to Fruit of the loom is not appropriate.

By: Neil Kearney

Neil Kearney — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 20:06:39 +0000

ITGLWF, the Global Trade Union for Textiles with affiliated unions in some 120 countries can provide information on t-shirt and other garment manufacturers who are unionised and respect international labour standards.
Contact: office@itglwf.org

Neil Kearney
General Secretary