Work on forced labour systems will take years, BCI cautions

LONDON – The Better Cotton Initiative has published a report outlining how and when it will implement the recommendations of the Task Force on Forced Labour and Decent Work. The Task Force was established to review current BCI systems in light of the glaring failings of the systems around the issue of ‘decent work’ after BCI was found to be working with an Implementing Partner in Xinjiang with links to forced and prison labour.

BCI claims it has implemented some of the recommendations of the Task Force already but cautioned that some of the recommendations may take several years to implement, dependent on funding issues. (Editor’s Note: if this is a work in progress, as BCI clearly indicates, will BCI still label its cotton ‘more sustainable’ in the meantime?)