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Made in Italy — in a Chinese Sweatshop

Italian luxury goods made by Chinese labor cost 90% less

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 20, 2008 9:21 AM CST
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(Newser) – For consumers of luxury goods, the "Made in Italy" designation remains so prestigious that it can add 300% to an item's price. But the days of artisans plying their trade in little workshops are largely over, the Los Angeles Times reports, replaced by thousands of Tuscan factories employing Chinese workers at low wages and in deplorable conditions. For many, the labor is little more than indentured servitude.

Laws governing workplace safety and establishing a minimum wage have done nothing to stop the rise of Chinese manufacturing in Italy: workers put in 14-hour days to pay off debts and often sleep in cells in the factory compound. A recent exposé on Italian television led Prada to end its dealings with a sweatshop there. And while two identical luxury bags might sell for the same price, one made by Chinese workers will cost 90% less to manufacture.

The Prada store in Tokyo. Prada last year severed ties with one Chinese sweatshop in Tuscany.
The Prada store in Tokyo. Prada last year severed ties with one Chinese sweatshop in Tuscany.   ((c) JamesEverett)
Increasingly, Chinese subcontractors in Tuscany are manufacturing Italian and leather goods.
Increasingly, Chinese subcontractors in Tuscany are manufacturing Italian and leather goods.   ((c) kryst£n)
A model wears a creation part of the Prada Women's Fall/Winter 2008/2009 collection presented in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. Increasingly, Chinese subcontractors in Tuscany are manufacturing Italian clothing.
A model wears a creation part of the Prada Women's Fall/Winter 2008/2009 collection presented in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008. Increasingly, Chinese subcontractors in Tuscany are manufacturing...   (Associated Press)
A model wears a creation part of the Gucci Spring/Summer 2008 collection presented in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007. Increasingly, Chinese subcontractors in Tuscany are manufacturing Italian clothing.
A model wears a creation part of the Gucci Spring/Summer 2008 collection presented in Milan, Italy, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007. Increasingly, Chinese subcontractors in Tuscany are manufacturing Italian...   (Associated Press)
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An earlier article on the same topic
Der Spiegel

 
fashion • Prada • globalization • Italy • minimum wage • Tuscany • luxury goods • manufacturing • sweatshop • Chinese workers • workplace safety

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