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Two models dressed in high fashion clothes crafted out of packaging materials paraded outside the main (Strand) entrance of Somerset House, London this morning to bring attention to DHL's abuses of workers right.



Somerset House is the central venue for this year’s London Fashion Week. DHL is a major sponsor of the show and its official logistics provider.



The ITF and UNI are fighting for DHL workers’ rights worldwide, and have in recent years presented evidence of repeated abuses in multiple countries where DHL operates. They have already been in touch with many exhibitors at LFW ahead of the event and report a positive response from those who are committed to the ethical sourcing and production of clothes, and who intend to contact DHL to quiz it on its behaviour.



See video of todays action:

ITF acting general secretary Steve Cotton commented: “London Fashion Week is the celebrity face of DHL, but there’s a much less glamorous side to the company, and that’s what we aim to expose and keep on exposing – until they fix it by treating all their workers decently.”



Philip Jennings, UNI general secretary, said: “DHL’s violations of international labour standards are well documented. DHL is ‘démodé’. It is out of step with the requirements of an ethical and sustainable fashion industry. UNI and ITF stand ready to work with DHL to help it turn the page and become a responsible supplier to the fashion industry.”



UNI affiliate the Communication Workers Union fully supported and took part in the action. CWU General Secretary, Billy Hayes, said "DHL is a leading global post and logistics company and should be setting high standards in all it does. As a key sponsor of London Fashion Week it basks in the glamorous flashlights of catwalk fashion and celebrity beauty, yet the way it treats many of its staff is ugly. The company's public image does not match the reality experienced by its workforce and we urge it to have a makeover to improve employee rights."







See pdf version of the brochure handed to London Fashion Week goers by clicking on Related Files tab above.



To find out more about the ITF and UNI’s campaign to ensure decent practices in all DHL workplaces please see respectatdhl.org

For more details please contact

Sam Dawson, ITF press officer. Tel: +44 (0)20 7940 9260. Mobile: 07850 736146. Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk



Richard Elliott, UNI communications director. Tel: +41 79 794 9709. Email: Richard.elliott@uniglobalunion.org