Supermarkets today wield unprecedented power on a global scale. From Bangladesh to South Africa, supermarkets dictate the terms at which overseas producers are forced to sell their goods. With threats to find new suppliers, they force prices down around the world.
But the workers who produce those goods – from fruit and vegetables to flowers and cheap clothes – feel their devastating impact every day. Working in factories or on plantations, they face long hours terrible working conditions and little or no trade union rights. Despite working 80 hours a week, many workers are not able to earn a living wage.
UK-based supermarkets like Tesco seek to keep prices low and their own profits high. Companies such as Asda Wal-Mart have resources beyond those of many countries, and they use that power to squeeze every last bit of profit. They use their size and economic influence to put their suppliers under immense pressure to produce goods as cheaply as possible.
War on Want is challenging the corporate culture and government policy that abuse workers' rights and keeps them in poverty. We have published ground-breaking research into supermarkets' exploitation of their suppliers, and work in partnership with grassroots organisations around the world who directly support these workers. The time to end supermarket abuse is now.
 |  | Take action:
The Competition Commission recently published the findings and recommendations from its 2-year Grocery Inquiry, uncovering evidence of supermarkets squeezing suppliers to constantly reduce their costs while boosting their own profits. |
 | | Clean Up Fashion:
Find out the latest about the injustice and exploitation in the high street fashion industry. |
 | | Growing Pains:
War on Want exposes the human cost of the cut flower industry in Colombia and Kenya producing flowers for British supermarkets. |
 | | Supersized Supermarkets:
A reception was held in Westminster giving those affected by supermarkets a chance to inform MPs of the problems they face. View a gallery of the event here. | |
 | | Tescopoly:
War on Want is a member of the Tescopoly Alliance, which challenges the power of Britain's largest retailer. Visit Tescopoly's external website to learn more. |
 | | Someone has to Pay:
War on Want calls on Gordon Brown to stop the corporate tax dodging that undermines the fight against poverty. |
 | | This campaign has been mounted with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of the campaign and all documents produced under it are the sole responsibility of War on Want and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union. |
