MPs back a supermarket watchdog
08 March 2010
On Friday 5 March, Albert Owen's Private Member's Bill in favour of a supermarket watchdog passed its first debate in parliament, with 44 MPs to 0 voting in favour of it. The turnout - high for this sort of debate – and result are a great indication of the pressure put on decision makers by War on Want supporters, and the strength of the campaign that has built in recent years. Thanks to everyone who took time to write to their MP about the issue and to keep a watchdog visible in parliament.
War on Want has been campaigning for several years to improve workers' rights in overseas supply chains, where we have seen routine exploitation, terrible conditions and poverty pay. A watchdog would help govern the relationship between the large supermarkets and their suppliers, controlling the damaging practices that have seen supermarkets forcing down prices and squeezing their suppliers, leading to a knock-on effect for workers' rights.
The bill will now go on to the next legislative stage, being considered in Committee. MPs from the three main parties all voted in favour of the bill and with the main spokesperson for each party pledging support, we are getting closer to this much needed body.
We are awaiting the date for the next stage of the bill, but it is likely that with an upcoming general election, parliament will be dissolved before enough time can be allocated for it to be passed.
Nonetheless, we now have cross-party support for the bill and will keeping the pressure on parliament in the run-up to and in the aftermath of the general election. Click here to see if your MP has previously signed EDM 822 in the last parliament, in support of a watchdog. If not, please email them asking them to publically show their support for overseas workers making goods for the UK.
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