Burberry criticized over exported jobs

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LONDON, Jan. 7 (UPI) -- Officials of the Burberry fashion company have come under fire from various celebrities for their recent decision to export 300 jobs to China.

The company's current plan, which would close a plant in Wales and send its key jobs to the Asian country, has been opposed by a bevy of celebrities including Oscar winner Emma Thompson, the Daily Mail reported.

"At a time when it behooves all businesses to set their ethics in order and put honorable practice above profit," said Thompson, who won an Oscar for her role in 1992's "Howard's End," "I call upon Burberry to reconsider their decision to move out of the Rhondda Valley."

The proposed closing of the Welsh factory, which accounts for one-third of Burberry's manufacturing in Britain, has also become the focus of area politicians.

Welsh politicians Leighton Andrews and Chris Bryant have openly opposed the plant's closure and have questioned whether a company that supplies the royal family should engage in such practices, the paper said.