Columbia

A young woman allegedly in forced labour at a clothes factory in Jordan killed herself while making products for the global fashion brands, i has discovered

Mohamed Salim, a senior manager at the factory, told i that following the “tragic loss of a team member”, Needle Craft would continue paying Ms Akter’s salary to her family for two years.

A spokesperson for Columbia said their company is “aware of the tragic events surrounding the death of a person who worked at our manufacturing partner, Fine Apparel”.

The sportswear giants Under Armour and Columbia have been hit by claims of forced labour in a factory making their clothes, after systemic abuse and exploitation allegedly led to a worker’s death by suicide, i can exclusively reveal.

Angelo said his relative is supposed to work six days every week. In reality, she’s often required to work all seven days and may only get a single day of rest in a whole month. There is believed to be no annual leave.

Two other major brands, Columbia and American Eagle, appear to have ceased importing from Needle Craft, perhaps as a result of the scandal.

Columbia has also faced complaints over decades. As long ago as 2006, workers in Jordan complained of “violent, abusive and illegal conditions” while sewing fleece jackets for the brand, according to a report for the National Labour Committee, a US-based charity.

Allegations of workers being mistreated in Jordan while making clothes for Under Armour, Columbia and American Eagle have emerged several times over the years.

Years of supply chain abuses

Columbia sportswear is wading into politics with this full-page ad in The Washington Post.

Columbia Sportswear gave nearly $47,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee and $33,000 to the DNC Services Corp in 2016. American Apparel, too, appears to be a supporter of both parties as its PAC has donated to predominantly Republicans, while Dov Charney, its CEO, has donated to Democratic Party candidates.