Kate Middleton urged to boycott Zara

January 14, 2012  •  National News  •  2 Comments

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• CONTROVERSY: Duchess of Cambridge urged to ditch Spanish label

THE Duchess of Cambridge has been urged to boycott fashion label Zara after it was caught up in a new ‘slave labour’ scandal.

Campaigners are urging Kate, who turned 30 this week, to put pressure on the Spanish company to improve the lives of its workers.

It comes after two people died in a Bangladeshi factory when a stampede of workers tried to evacuate the building when a boiler exploded.

Hundreds of workers have since taken to the streets in Dhaka to demand compensation for the families of Taslima Akter, 22, and Jesmin Akter, 20.

And the country’s National Garment Workers’ Association and British charity War On Want have asked the Princess to step in.

Greg Muttitt, from War On Want, said: “Kate has been a public ambassador for the Zara brand.

In contrast, she has shown no interest in the lives and conditions of the workers who make Zara’s clothes.

“Following this tragedy, a people’s princess would insist that Zara fairly compensates the bereaved families.”

Kate is a big fan of the high street brand and has been regularly spotted shopping in Zara and has worn at least two of its outfits on high profile public outings.

The publicity was a huge triumph for the firm, founded in 1975 by Amancio Ortega, now the richest man in Spain.

Over the last year, the company has come under heavy criticism for the poor working conditions in its factories.

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