Community group seeks supply chain transparency, alleging possible ties to factories in Uyghur homeland.
Aug 5, 2025
By Uyghur Times Staff – With reporting by Bronwyn Herbert and Lucy Kent, ABC News
Kmart Australia is facing federal court action from the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women’s Association (AUTWA), which says it has reason to believe the retailer may source products from factories connected to forced labour in Uyghur homeland.
AUTWA’s president, Ramila Chanisheff, is seeking documents to verify Kmart’s public claims of “ethical” and “sustainable” sourcing. The group alleges that at least two garment suppliers in Kmart’s supply chain are linked to Uyghur forced labour, citing cross-references with credible reports.
Kmart denies the claims, stating it has invited AUTWA to meet multiple times and has shared details of its Ethical Sourcing Program, in place for over 15 years. The retailer says its suppliers are regularly audited and that it was the first major Australian retailer to publicly disclose its factory list.
The case highlights gaps in Australia’s Modern Slavery Act, which requires companies to report on slavery risks but not to act on them. Unlike the US and some European nations, Australia does not ban imports from Uyghur region, where 85% of China’s cotton is produced.
Chanisheff says the association would be satisfied if Kmart could prove beyond doubt that its products are not linked to forced labour. If links are confirmed, AUTWA will call on Kmart to cut ties with those suppliers.
Human rights experts warn that without stronger laws, Australia risks becoming a “dumping ground” for goods made with forced labour. The federal government is currently consulting on reforms to strengthen the Modern Slavery Act.
