Lululemon:
In his book, “Little Black Stretchy Pants,” founder Chip Wilson explains his belief that child labor is not wrong, because “working young is excellent training for life.”
Child labor is not “elevating the world from mediocrity to greatness,” as you claim, Mr. Wilson.
H&M
Sure, H&M likes to appear eco-friendly, but not only are its fast-fashion practices detrimental to the environment, its child labor policies reportedly employ children as young as 14-years-old to work long hours in its factories. Sweatshop workers are subject to physical and sexual abuse for failing to meet deadlines or produce enough product.
Forever 21
Similar to H&M, Forever 21 has had its fair share of child labor and sweatshop scandals. So, the next time you see a $13 shirt for sale at Forever 21, think about the worker making $6 an hour who made it. Sweatshop workers have reported receiving physical and sexual abuse for failing to meet deadlines or for failing to produce enough product.
Nike
Even co-founder and current chairman emeritus Phil Knight acknowledged that, “the Nike product has become synonymous with slave wages, forced overtime and arbitrary abuse.”Although Nike has taken action to ensure no worker is ever paid just $0.14 an hour again, the corporation still has much to do before it can be considered ethical, in my opinion.
Zara
Climate change activists hate Zara, but anti-slavery activists hate it even more. Workers are reported to be forced to spend 16 hours a day in dangerous and unsanitary conditions. The Ministry of Labor and Employment in Brazil actually had to come to the rescue of numerous Zara employees, one of whom was a 14-year old girl.
Adidas
Although Adidas has been reluctant to admit it, the company practices gross infringements of human rights in its sweatshops. Children and adults alike are regularly forced to work 15 hours a day while receiving criminally low wages in return. Leaving work due to an injury, holiday, or family emergency results in beatings and pay reductions. Still, Adidas is one of the better athletics brands regarding slave labor. How ironic is it that this company was ready to sell sneakers with attached shackles before facing public backlash?
GAP
We all seem to know and love GAP, but few of us are aware of its sweatshops where children as young as 8-years-old reportedly work alongside their mothers for 16 hours a day. If that’s not awful enough, female factory workers have expressed experiencing sexual abuse regularly as punishment for not working quickly enough.
Lululemon:
https://www.businessinsider.com/lululemon-founder-chip-wilson-child-labor-stance-2018-10 . https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/asian-pacific-business/labour-woes-in-asia-the-latest-snag-for-lululemon/article12762550/ . https://blogs.uoregon.edu/j350lululemonpr/2013/12/10/wilson-defends-child-labor/
H&M:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/aug/21/hm-factories-myanmar-employed-14-year-old-workers
GAP:
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2004/may/13/7
Forever 21:
https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-fi-forever-21-factory-workers/
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2004/may/13/7
Nike:
http://mallenbaker.net/article/clear-reflection/nike-and-child-labour-how-it-went-from-laggard-to-leader . https://harpers.org/archive/1992/08/the-new-free-trade-heel/
Zara:
https://www.fastcompany.com/40491438/i-didnt-get-paid-for-it-zara-workers-put-desperate-messages-in-garments . https://fortune.com/2018/06/22/melania-trump-jacket-zara-controversy-swastika-holocaust-clothing/ . https://fashionista.com/2011/08/zaras-brazilian-factories-accused-of-child-labor-and-unfair-working-conditions
Adidas:
https://www.fastcompany.com/90279693/did-a-slave-make-your-sneakers-the-answer-is-probably . https://knowthechain.org/wp-content/uploads/KTC_AF_2018_.pdf . https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2000/nov/19/jasonburke.theobserver
Urban Outfitters:
https://content.wisestep.com/companies-use-child-labor/ . https://goodonyou.eco/how-ethical-is-urban-outfitters/
