Following backlash over the methods of its ethical fashion report, Baptist World Aid Australia has released a statement defending its processes.
The statement focusses on criticism of the group's grading of fast fashion companies such as Zara and H&M who received an A- and B+ respectively.
Baptist World Aid said that while fast fashion companies may contribute to destructive cultural changes in regards to worker's wages and environmental impact, the report focuses on systems that companies have in place to mitigate the risk of exploitation for workers relative to their peers.
Baptist World Aid Australia advocacy manager Gershon Nimbalker said that many fast fashion companies are better at mitigating exploitation in their supply chains and therefore would rank well against their peers.
“It may be true that the likes of H&M and Zara have contributed to a destructive cultural change, but that's not what the report is seeking to address.
“These companies are doing better than most at mitigating exploitation in their supply chain.
“Their size and scale give them resources to invest in tracing their suppliers, creating effective monitoring practices, demanding improvements, building relationships and working with unions and governments.
“They're far from perfect but when we compare them to their peers, their systems rank amongst the best.”