Giorgio Armani bags made by exploited Chinese workers near Milan, Italian police say
- An unauthorised Chinese subcontractor hiring workers under the table was paid US$100 for a handbag that the fashion house sold for around 20 times that amount
- Police footage of a leather goods workshop shows filthy conditions, including a makeshift kitchen, pots in a dirty bathroom and windows covered with cardboard
Exploited Chinese workers employed in Italy by an unauthorised subcontractor made handbags and accessories for the Giorgio Armani fashion house in a series of supply chain abuses that the in-house production company failed to properly monitor, Italian police said Friday.
The fashion house denied wrongdoing by GA Operations, which produces apparel, accessories and home decor for the Giorgio Armani Group brands.
“The company has always had control and prevention measures in place to minimise abuses in the supply chain,’’ the Armani statement said.
“GA Operations will collaborate with the utmost transparency with the competent bodies to clarify its position on the matter.”
According to police, GA Operations hired a subcontractor, which in turn hired unauthorised Chinese subcontractors that employed workers under the table, some of whom were in Italy illegally.
They allegedly disregarded health and safety regulations as well as rules governing working hours, breaks and days off.