Sydney, Australia – Kmart faces court action amid allegations of sourcing products from Chinese factories linked to forced labor.
Denials and Assurances Kmart has denied the allegations, stating that it is committed to respecting human rights in its operations and supply chains.
The retailer claims to have an Ethical Sourcing Program in place, which includes site visits, audits, and investigations to identify and mitigate modern slavery risks.
The Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women’s Association, which is behind the legal action, has requested documents from Kmart to prove its claims of operating an ethical and sustainable company.
The group believes that at least two garment suppliers are linked to the use of Uyghur forced labor in the Xinjiang region.
Kmart has provided extensive details of its Ethical Sourcing Program to the applicant’s lawyers over the past 12 months and had invited the association to meet with them to understand their concerns.
However, the group remains unconvinced and is seeking greater transparency and accountability.
Global Concerns and Reforms The allegations against Kmart highlight the ongoing concerns about forced labor in China’s Xinjiang region.
The US has banned goods from the region since 2021, citing credible evidence of widespread forced labor.
Australia, however, does not have similar legislation in place, despite calls for reforms.
Human rights groups argue that Australian companies must be held to higher standards, and the government must introduce stronger laws to combat modern slavery.
Professor Justine Nolan from the Australian Human Rights Institute noted that the current Modern Slavery Act is insufficient and that Australia risks becoming a “dumping ground” for goods made with forced labor.
The Australian Government has released a consultation paper aiming to strengthen the Modern Slavery Act, focusing on streamlining existing mandatory reporting criteria.
However, critics argue that more comprehensive reforms are needed to tackle the root causes of modern slavery.
Call to Action The Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women’s Association is calling on Kmart to divest from suppliers linked to forced labor.
If the retailer can prove beyond reasonable doubt that it is not linked to forced labor, the association will be satisfied.
Consumers can make a difference by demanding greater transparency and accountability from companies.
As the legal action unfolds, the spotlight remains on Kmart’s sourcing practices and the need for stronger laws to combat modern slavery in Australia.