Canada watchdog probes Ralph Lauren over alleged forced Uyghur labour

Ottawa's corporate-ethics watchdog announced an investigation into Ralph Lauren over the alleged use of forced labour in its supply chains, while putting a mining firm on notice.

Ottawa’s corporate-ethics watchdog has announced an investigation into fashion company Ralph Lauren over the alleged use of forced labour in its supply chains, while putting a Toronto-based mining firm on notice.

Sheri Meyerhoffer, who is the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise, said it’s not clear whether Ralph Lauren Canada LP is doing enough to weed out components linked to the alleged mistreatment of China’s Uyghur minority.

Meyerhoffer has also asked Toronto-based mining company GobiMin Inc. to improve its policies to prevent the possible use of forced labour in its supply chains.

Her report says that in response to her inquiries, Ralph Lauren insisted last November that it’s an American company that isn’t subject to Canadian jurisdiction, before providing information in June about measures it has in place to prevent mistreatment.

“Refusal to participate in the (ombudsperson’s) initial assessment stage, followed by a last-minute shift indicating a willingness to participate and collaborate in the … process, has made it difficult to complete the assessment,” reads a report issued Tuesday.

Meyerhoffer noted that corporate due diligence and policies aimed at lowering the risk of forced labour “should include an open, participatory and responsive space for addressing complaints or grievances raised by stakeholders.”

China denies that any forced labour of Uyghur citizens is taking place in what it has called “detention” centres or “re-education” camps. Beijing insists the centres are meant to weed out Islamic radicalization after several deadly domestic attacks.

But the United Nations found in mid-2022 that China had committed “serious human-rights violations” against Uyghurs and other Muslim communities that “may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity.”