Challenging Halfords on wages in Cambodia [Cambodian-made Halfords bike company in Cambodia must pay Cambodian workers decent wages]

BFTF's bike - it is a thing of beauty

Tuesday, 1 January 2013

http://bftfblog.blogspot.com.au 

BFTF recently bit the bullet and bought a new bicycle with the aim of using it for exercise and, occasionally, actually as a means of transport.

After some research, the one BFTF went for was a Voodoo Marasa from Halfords.

It is a great bike, and riding it is an immense joy.

Whilst reading off the serial number in case it ever get stolen, BFTF noticed that it was made in Cambodia.

Nothing wrong with that, and it fact it's great to see the developing world get their share of the global industrial pie.

But that share needs to be fair. The workers need to be paid a living wage. The company needs to pay its taxes.

So BFTF sent off the message to Halfords (via their feedback page) for some information on these issues:

I recently bought a Voodoo Marasa Hydrid Bike from yourselves, and am really enjoying riding it - I hope it gives me years or reliable service.

I notice that it is made in Cambodia, which is just fine, but I worry that the workers manufacturing and assembling the bike are not being paid fairly.

So I was hoping you could answer two questions :


i) Do the workers manufacturing / assembling Voodoo bikes get paid a LIVING wage?

ii) Does the manufacturing company pay a fair level of taxes in Cambodia. Specifically, can you confirm that the manufacturing company is not evading taxes by locating itself in a tax free zone or similar.

I am likely to be purchasing another, similar, bike for my eldest son this year and the ethical aspects of bike production will be a factor in my purchasing decision.

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