WenLing-Jomec

Outside the label’s store in London, more than 100 employees chanted: “Keep Burberry British! ” with thousands of leaflets being handed out.

This September, the world-famous clothing retailer, Burberry, announced they will close its Treorchy factory in Wales, and move production to China, due to cheap labours.

This move will cause 311 workers to lose their jobs. One employee of the factory, Gran Joan Young said, many of the women here has been the main wage-earners in their families.

Some campaigners also pointed out the closure would have a harmful impact on the Rhondda – the area of the factory. Most important of all, moving manufacturing abroad may damage the well-known British brand.

What if Burberry moves production to anywhere other than Britain? On the company’s website, it advertises itself as the “authentic British lifestyle brand”. However, its new plan will make 300 British workers unemployed.

This issue spread quickly to the UK. In a House of Commons motion Burberry was criticized by 33 MPs for this plan. They requested the company to rethink again. In addition, Ioan Gruffudd, the Welsh actor and Hollywood star, has written a letter to Angela Ahrendts, Burberry’s chief executive, asking her to keep the plant going. Recently, Prince Charles has contacted government ministers to ask if there is anything he can do for the factory.

These supporters have successfully impacted on Burberry. Its Treorchy factory was due to close in January 2007, however, the company delayed the closure date to 31 March 2007 under the pressure from these supporters. GMB members have seen this move as a small victory and will continue its anti-closure campaign.

They have put up “Keep Burberry British” posters on the factory walls and been tight-lipped about the closure plan. “The closure gets the extension to March, that’s all I can tell you,” said the clerk of Treorchy factory’s shop who did not want to be named. She has been worked here for a long time.

The shop is neat and tiny. Women’s clothes and accessories are at the front of the shop. Various kinds of Men’s shirts are at the end of corridor. Outside the store, a row of grey buildings- Treorchy factory- standing firmly appears to guard its workers.

No one knows the future of this factory. According to the company, it is working on a plan to redeploy 50 employees on a new smaller textiles operation. It seems not a best answer for everyone. But a spokesman has promised: “We are doing everything we can do to cushion the impact of such a closure.” Burberry’s battle is still ongoing.