A new joint report by the European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) and the National Trade Union Federation (NTUF) has uncovered widespread labour rights violations in Pakistan’s textile and garment industry, raising serious questions about how major German fashion brands are complying with the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG).
Based on interviews with over 350 factory workers in Karachi, the report documents systemic abuses including:
- Non-payment of minimum and living wages
- Unpaid overtime and excessive working hours
- Lack of written contracts and job insecurity
- Non-payment of social security benefits
- Suppression of trade unions and retaliation against organizers
Despite clear obligations under the LkSG, the report finds that brands continue to rely on ineffective social audits, fail to consult workers or trade unions, and ignore harmful purchasing practices—such as price pressure and unrealistic lead times—that directly contribute to wage theft and labour exploitation.
Researchers contacted seven major German retail groups—Aldi Süd, C&A, Inditex, KiK, Peek & Cloppenburg, Primark, and Tom Tailor—yet only three (Peek & Cloppenburg, KiK, and Primark) provided responses.
The report concludes that brand due diligence efforts remain superficial, with no measurable improvements on the factory floor. This raises concerns about ongoing non-compliance with the LkSG and continued risks to workers across Pakistani supplier factories.
The authors urge German fashion companies to overhaul their due diligence practices by engaging workers directly, strengthening freedom of association, reforming purchasing practices, and adopting enforceable action plans to ensure living wages and safe working conditions.
