Letter: Sweatshop victims

Sir: I applaud The Independent for its campaign against the sale of sweatshop goods in British stores. My regret is that the action you have been bold enough to take could not have occurred some 25 to 30 years ago, when slave labour was rife throughout most of Asia and the Far East. Action then might have prevented hundreds of small but important manufacturing companies in the British Isles from bankruptcy, with the loss of tens of thousands of jobs.

As a manufacturer, at that time, of sports and travel bags, I can support your most worthy campaign, which hopefully will promote a resurgence of British manufacturing industries.

ROBERT J CHICKEN Snr

London N21