The cheap high street fashion retailer, Primark, has been accused by a leading development NGO of profiting from increased sales amid Britain's icy winter while leaving workers who produce its clothes out in the cold.
The attack came as Primark's parent company, Associated British Foods, announced recent sales by the fashion retailer exceeded its expectations.
Primark sales rose by 19 per cent in the 16 weeks to 2 January 2010.
But amid bumper sales of warm clothes in the chilly weather, Primark garment workers remain frozen out of its success, the charity War on Want claims.
It says people making Primark clothes overseas are struggling to survive on poverty pay.
In December 2009 the charity's research showed that workers toiled up to 84 hours a week and earned as little as £19 a month - less than half a living wage - making Primark clothes in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka.
War on Want's report on three Primark factories in the same city just over a year ago revealed workers earning as little as 7p an hour for up to 80-hour weeks.
Simon McRae, senior campaigns officer at War on Want, commented: "Shareholders will give a warm reception to Primark's latest sales triumph. But these figures will get a cool response from people in suppliers' factories abroad."
He added: "It is high time Gordon Brown acted to ensure decent treatment for overseas workers producing clothes for Primark and other UK stores."
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Fair trade fashion: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/search/node/fair+trade+fashion
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