California authorities attack textile sweatshops
Over the course of two days, the California Inspection Commission has carried out a series of inspections in local apparel factories. Six companies were fined for lack of employee insurance, while another fourteen will be facing illegal manufacturing charges. The operation has signalled the start of a large-scale campaign against sweatshops and illegal or unsafe workshops.
The inspectors calculated that the goods illegally produced by the companies under investigation are worth $155,457. In the course of the inspection, some 85 undeclared apparel batches were also seized. The 18 companies and 22 production sites in question, totalling nearly 300 employees, received a state fine of $42,300.
"Sweatshop operators are a threat to the rights of textile workers, and they debase the image of honest employers within this industry, making it hard for legitimate businesses to continue to operate," stated California Labour Commissioner Julie A. Su. "Let these illegal entities take note: we will shine a spotlight on these underground activities, and those who place orders with these unregistered businesses will be equally held responsible."
The issue is a highly political one. Last spring, California Governor Jerry Brown passed a bill that will lead the state to set the minimum hourly wage at $15 by 2022. The decision was highly criticised in California, home to nearly 63,000 apparel workers and over 10,000 textile workers, equivalent to about 35% of the US textile-apparel workforce, concentrated in 2,200 specialised companies.
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