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GAP’s child labour expose of last week has focussed minds on the problem of subcontracting; when suppliers put some, or all, of the manufacturing out to a sub-supplier without the knowledge or consent of the customer. Yesterday’s Observer reported that GAP are looking at a twin approach to tackle both child labour and illicit subcontracting by developing a ‘sweatshop-free’ or ‘child labour free’ label and a tracking system which will allow consumers to directly track exactly where their products were made, using a new online service.  

It appears that the labelling scheme may be based on the Rugmark model which monitors child labour in the carpet industry. The tracking may be similar to the Dutch initiative ‘Made-By’, who employ the use of distinctive blue buttons and an online tracking service to increase consumer visibility in retailers’ supply chains.  

We welcome both these initiatives, but would urge GAP to prioritise equally the rehabilitation and education of children involved in the garment industry. I would prefer to buy a garment which was labelled child labour free, if I was certain that any children who had previously worked in the supply chain were happily in school and improving their life chances.  Maybe GAP could consider sharing the grades and progress of former child workers to demonstrate a truly responsible approach to making the world a better place.