Triumph is launching a large cost-reduction programme and as a result emotion is running high in Thailand and the Philippines, where more than 3,600 jobs have been cut following a plunge in the company’s international demand.

Louise Redknapp for Triumph, Spring-Summer 2009

Contacted by FashionMag, the brand indicated that its plan affected 3,616 employees. The centre of production for Triumph in the Philippines, which employed 1,686 people, will be closing its doors. Body Fashion, the brand’s production unit in Thailand, has for its part cut 1,930 positions. This revision of costs will also affect China; Triumph told FashionMag that its distribution centre in Hainan will be transferred to Canton, to save money on logistics, but that it will retain its 75 member work-force.

“The company profoundly regrets that these job losses are necessary, but we are making every possible effort to be watchful that every affected employee be treated fairly and with respect for the contribution they made to the business”, a representative stated.

According to the local press agency TNA, in Bangkok more than a hundred workers have brought a letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva demanding his support for local Triumph employees. The union Boonsub Kuanfoong explained that the redundancies that Body Fashion has made were not carried out in accordance to the rules. The local government has not, for the moment, adjudged the allegations to be founded. Triumph considered it “unthinkable” that Body Fashion acted illegally.

By Jonathan Fulwell (Source: Matthieu Guinebault)