Burmese migrants were made to work up to 99 hours a week on unlawful wages and in forced labour conditions at a Thailand factory making clothes for Tesco’s F&F fashion range, it is alleged in a legal action brought by a group of workers.
A letter before action detailing the allegations has been sent on behalf of 130 migrant factory workers and one migrant child by law firm Leigh Day. The letter of claim is the first step in legal proceedings and notifies the defendants of the claimants’ allegations.
Tesco lawyers have responded to state that the company does not accept that the legal letter discloses any arguable claims against Tesco and does not accept that the claims should be brought in England. It says that under Thai law Tesco was not duty-bound to protect the claimants in relation to alleged negligence.
The adults, who are all vulnerable and impoverished Burmese migrants who had fled war or left Myanmar in the hope of finding safety and work in Th...