UPDATE: Just Group has banned the purchase of sandblasted jeans, following a recent fall-out with local non-profit organisation Oxfam Australia.
As reported in Ragtader.com.au, Just Group – which operates denim brands such as Jay Jays and Just Jeans – was recently criticised by Oxfam in regards to several advertisements which still promoted certain jean styles as “sandblasted”.
At the time, Oxfam Australia executive director Andrew Hewett also called on Just Group chief executive Mark McInnes to release the company's full position on sandblasting and commit to banning the dangerous practice. The organisation also demanded Just Group release names and locations of its supplier factories so that workers' conditions and practices can be independently verified.
Just Group announced today that the company is committed to selling out all remaining stock and not place any further orders for sandblasted jeans. The Just Group brands include Just Jeans, Jay Jays, Dotti, Portmans and Jacqui E.
Oxfam Australia director of policy James Ensor said the organisation welcomes the move by The Just Group.
“Just Group has taken an important first step today,” he said.
“We will continue to encourage Just Group to implement the other five steps of the ban, in particular ensuring that workers who were exposed to sandblasting receive medical checks. We also encourage Just Group to improve transparency in its operations by publishing a list of its supplier factories. Without this transparency it is not possible to externally verify the conditions for workers making Just Group products.”
In banning sandblasted products, Just Group joins global brands, including Levi Strauss, Gucci, Benetton and Esprit which have previously banned the practice.
Ensor said Oxfam would continue encouraging Australian retailers to take a stand against the sandblasting process and associated products.
“Oxfam is encouraging all Australian retailers selling denim products to follow Just Group’s example and implement a ban on sandblasting,” he said
SEPTEMBER 8, 2011: Local non-profit organisation Oxfam Australia has criticised Just Group for its weak stance on sandblasting and is threatening to take the matter to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
According to Oxfam, Just Group, which operates several brands that sell denim products, including Jay Jays, Dotti, Portmans, Just Jeans and Jacquie E, was first contacted by Oxfam earlier this year in regards to several advertisements which still promoted styles as “sandblasted”.
The practice of sandblasting is known to cause silicosis — a pulmonary disease caused by the inhalation of silica dust, which has caused fatalities and is reported to have affected the health of several thousand denim workers.
In February, Oxfam, allegedly asked for clarification around Just Jeans and Jay Jays products that were advertised as sandblasted, and warned the company about serious health risks to workers. The organisation claims that since then, more than 500 consumers have written to Just Group outlining their concern for workers and calling on the company to ban sandblasting.
On August 3, Just Jeans issued a statement on social networking site Facebook that they did not use sandblasting, despite several Just Jeans products still being advertised on the Just Jeans website as “sandblasted denim”.
Oxfam Australia executive director Andrew Hewett also revealed Just Group brands were listed as buyers at Union Win factories in China, many of which produce sandblasted denim products.
He said Oxfam is now calling on Just Group chief executive Mark McInnes to release the company's full position on sandblasting and commit to banning the dangerous practice.
“We welcome this statement by Just Jeans but remain concerned that products are still being marketed as sandblasted. If this is the case, consumers are being misled,” Hewett said.
“After trying to engage constructively with Just Group for the past six months, Oxfam feels it is now compelled to refer this matter to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) if the company does not take action in the next 10 days.”
Oxfam has also demanded Just Group release names and locations of its supplier factories so that workers' conditions and practices can be independently verified.
The drama comes as Just Group brands Just Jeans and Dotti prepare to hit the runway this Sunday, as part of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week.
Fashion houses which have already publicly banned sandblasting, include Benetton, Levi Strauss, Gucci and Esprit.
According to Oxfam, several of these companies are also taking steps towards fully implementing the ban—hiring health and safety specialists, providing health checks for workers and changing product designs.