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\par }{\insrsid12259434 Tim Oyler - }{\insrsid12068648\charrsid12068648  Inquiry Secretary (Groceries market inquiry) 
\par Competition Commission 
\par Victoria House 
\par }\pard \s15\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid12068648 {\insrsid12068648\charrsid12068648 Southampton Row 
\par LONDON 
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\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\super\langnp2057\insrsid12068648\charrsid12068648 th}{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12068648\charrsid12068648  May 2006
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\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12068648\charrsid12068648 
\par 
\par }{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9445824 The}{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7351649\charrsid12068648  National Group on Homeworking ha}{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9445824 s}{
\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7351649\charrsid12068648  worked for many years with homeworkers in the supply chains of major UK retailers. }{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7959086\charrsid12068648 
We were pleased to hear the Competition Commission is to investigate supermarket practices and we hope you will take our concerns into account as you draw together plans for the inquiry.}{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid7351649\charrsid12068648 

\par 
\par }{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid536937\charrsid12068648 The National Group on Homeworking is an NGO working entirely on homeworking issues. We offer support and advice to homeworkers, and campaign for improved employment terms and conditions.}
{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid13173429  }{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid536937\charrsid12068648 NGH estimate}{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9445824 s}{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid536937\charrsid12068648 
 that there are around 1 million homeworkers in the UK. The vast majority are women and many are from ethnic minority backgrounds. Many homeworkers work in the packing and manufacturing sectors, and low pay and poor employment conditions are common. }{
\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9904375\charrsid12068648 
\par }{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid536937\charrsid12068648 
\par NGH is a member of the Ethical Trading Initiative. We are also members of the Tescopoly alliance. In 2004 the National Group on Homeworking launched our \lquote Bang Out of Order\rquote  campaign which called on the \lquote Big Four\rquote 
 supermarkets to improve the conditions of homeworkers in their supply chains. We are currently campaigning for a legal change to grant employment rights to all UK homeworkers.
\par }{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9904375\charrsid12068648 
\par }{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid536937\charrsid12068648 We would urge the Competition Commission to take the following into account when drawing up }{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12259434 the}{
\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid536937\charrsid12068648  terms of reference for the supermarkets investigation:
\par }{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12259434 
\par }{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12259434\charrsid12068648 
\par }{\b\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2384655\charrsid12068648 All products sold by supermarkets should be considered.}{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid2384655\charrsid12068648 
 We understand that, at present the Competition Commission is minded to only investigate food groceries. As supermarkets are continually expanding their sphere of influence, into, for example, clothes retailing we feel all elements of their busines
s should be investigated. Supermarkets promote their brand on the basis that it is able to provide a vast range of products and services under one roof, it is therefore essential that any investigation into supermarket trading practices is able to examine
 all of these goods and services.}{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid536937\charrsid12068648 
\par }{\b\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid536937\charrsid12068648 
\par }{\b\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9904375\charrsid12068648 Pressures on suppliers and those working in supply chains.}{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9904375\charrsid12068648 
 This is directly related to the issues of competition the Compet}{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid536937\charrsid12068648 i}{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9904375\charrsid12068648 
tion Commission is charged with investigating. It is intense competition focussing exclusively on 
price which is forcing down standards in UK and international supply chains. Such is the dominance of supermarkets that they have the power to demand ever lower prices and shorter order times from their suppliers.  Inevitably the pressure of these demands
 is brought to bear most heavily on those at the bottom of the chain \endash 
 be these small scale producers or workers, including homeworkers, working for subcontractors. It would be useful to investigate how the dominance of a small number of vast supermarket ch
ains has impacted upon labour standards and the prices paid to producers in supermarket supply chains.}{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12068648  In addition, many major retailers are committed to codes of conduct, be these their own}{
\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12259434  corporate social responsibility policies}{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12068648  o}{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9445824 r}{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid12068648 
 wider codes such as the Ethical Trading Initiative Base Code. }{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9445824  How far supermarkets comply with the codes they profess to follow would also be a relevant line of inquiry.}{
\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9904375 
\par }{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9445824 
\par I hope these issues will be incorporated into the terms of reference}{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid3041391 . If you would like any further information and think that NGH could be of use please do not hesitate to get in touch.}{
\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9445824 
\par 
\par Yours sincerely
\par 
\par 
\par 
\par Nesta Holden 
\par Campaigns and Policy Worker \endash  National Group on Homeworking}{\f1\lang2057\langfe1033\langnp2057\insrsid9445824\charrsid12068648 
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