To:

PRADA SpA

Mr. Patrizio Bertelli

Chief Executive Officer

patrizio.bertelli@prada.com

Demand Prada SpA to publicly account for its alleged sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal of staff in Prada Japan

We are a group of labour and women rights civil society organizations from Hong Kong and other Asian countries and regions. Recently it has been reported that your company is alleged of sexual discrimination, harassment and unfair dismissal at Prada Japan. Allegations also included illegal accounting based on forced purchases by store staff at Prada Japan. As labour and women rights concern groups advocating labour justice and gender equality, we are shocked and very concerned about your company’s alleged labour maltreatment and discriminatory practices against women employees. As reported in the media, the plaintiff of the case Rina Bovrisse and other former Prada employees filed a labour lawsuit with the Tokyo District Court in 2009, demanding compensation for her emotional distress and complaining your company of unfair demotion and forcing her to take involuntary leave. Hitherto, the case is still unresolved and is in legal proceedings. In January this year, the Action Center for Working Women in Japan and Fashion Industry Union in Japan brought Ms. Bovrisse and other former Prada employees cases to our attention.

As a world renowned multinational fashion house, Prada should show commitments in corporate social responsibility and ensuring its employees of a discrimination-free working environment and fully respected labour rights protection. As stated in the ‘Code of Ethics’ published in your company’s official website1, “PRADA SpA promotes the value of the human person through the respect for physical, cultural and moral integrity, protecting its own employees and collaborators from discriminations on the ground of nationality, religious belief, political and trade union affiliation, language or gender.” However, to public outrage and disappointment, as a fashion brand which targets women as the major consumers, Prada SpA is suspected of discriminatory practices towards female employees in Japan. Until now, your company has not yet provided a full explanation to the general public over allegations of labour maltreatment and gender discrimination.

It is not the first time that Prada was involved in disputes over labour maltreatment. As far as we are concerned, a Turkish factory called DESA which supplies Prada was reported of union repression in 2009. The factory dismissed 29 union members without following proper procedure and did not recognize the lawful union organized by the factory workers. The dismissal was ruled to be unlawful by the local court in Turkey. As the buyer at the factory, Prada has the responsibility to ensure the fundamental workers’ rights to be upheld by its suppliers and observance of the internationally recognized labour rights as prescribed by the International Labour Organization (ILO), including the rights to freedom of association and organizing. To consumers, it is very regrettable to see the abusive practices behind the luxury products.

While the aforementioned labour disputes at Prada Japan have not yet been settled, your company is reported of filing an initial public offering (IPO) application to the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. We express our deep concern for your company’s attempt to file an IPO at the current stage when the legal disputes are still unresolved. According to the Annex 9 and 10 of the “Revised Guidance for New Listing Applications” of Hong Kong Exchange and Clearing, companies are required to comply with “all applicable laws and regulations in all jurisdiction where it operates since its establishment” and that the Group (including its predecessor companies) has not committed any offences, violations or breaches of laws or regulations in all jurisdictions where it operates”. 2 As a multinational enterprise committed to corporate social responsibility, Prada SpA should proactively adopt measures to eliminate any forms of discrimination and fully observe the laws and regulations regarding labour rights, social justice and equal opportunities in all jurisdictions where you invest and operate, in order to fulfil the expectation of the society, investors and consumers as well.

We, therefore, demand Prada SpA:
To give a satisfactory response to the public and to Ms. Rina Bovrisse over allegations of sexual discrimination, harassment and unfair dismissal at Prada Japan;
To explain whether your company has requirements on your suppliers in observance with the rights of freedom of association and union organizing; and explain the implementation measures and the monitoring polices concerned;
To explain whether your company has adopted any policies or measures against sexual discrimination and harassment

We sincerely look forward to your written reply. Should there be any enquiries, please contact the spokesperson of the ATNC Monitoring Network, Ms Suki CHUNG (Tel: 28159003; email: coordinator@atnc.org)

Thank you for your kind attention.

Yours sincerely,

Asian Transnational Corporations Monitoring Network

Co-signed by:

Asia Monitor Resource Centre

The Association for the Advancement of Feminism

Labour Action China

Retail, Commerce and Clothing Industries General Union

Students and Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior

Japan National Women NGO Network

Action Center for Working Women

Fashion Industry Union

2 May 2011

Cc:

PRADA SpA

Mr. Sebastian Suhl

Chief Operating Officer

sebastian.suhl@prada.com

Ms. Cinzia Tito

Director of Human Resources

cinzia.tito@prada.com

Ms. Marta Monaco

Prada SpA Press

marta.monaco@prada.com

PRADA Japan

Mr. Davide Sesia

Chief Executive Officer

davide.sesia@prada.com

Mr. Hiroyuki Takahashi

Senior Human Resources Manager

hiro.takahashi@prada.com

Ms. Mia Morikawa

Prada Japan Press

mia.morikawa@prada.com

[Your Name]
[Your Email]