Canada's corporate watchdog is investigating U.S. fashion retailer Ralph Lauren (RL) over allegations the company benefits from the use of Uyghur forced labour within China.
The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) said it is investigating complaints filed by 28 civil society organizations against the Polo shirt manufacturer.
CORE said it has received reports that Ralph Lauren has supply relationships with Chinese companies that use or benefit from the use of Uyghur forced labour.
None of the allegations against Ralph Lauren have been proven and the company has not commented publicly on the Canadian investigation.
A similar investigation was launched by CORE into running shoemaker Nike (NKE) over allegations that company has or had operations in China that used Uyghur forced labour.
In the last couple of years, several large U.S. and Canadian multinational companies have been accused of using Uyghur forced labour either directly or in their supply chains.
CORE monitors and investigates human rights abuses mainly by Canadian companies operating abroad. However, it also investigates U.S. companies with substantial business operations in Canada.
The Uyghur are an ethnic minority group that is used as forced labour in China. Many of the Uyghur are held in detention camps.
Ralph Lauren’s stock has increased 19% over the last 12 months to trade at $119.63 U.S. per share.
