Zara Scandal

 

Last week reports came out that Zara may possibly be involved in a sweatshop scandal. Zara has been accused of producing clothes in degrading Argentinian sweatshop conditions, following a new investigation. It has been said that employees were made to work more than 13 hours a day and could not leave the factory without permission.

An investigation was carried out by Argentina's health and safety watchdog, La Alameda, and it is believed that many of the workers were immigrants and children, many of whom lived in places where they worked. People at the factory were forced to start work at 7am and continue, without a break, until 11pm six days a week.

Zara has thus far denied the allegations, releasing the following statement: "We are surprised by the allegations being made by La Alameda. Based on the limited information we have received so far, the workshops in question do not appear to have any relationship with our approved suppliers in Argentina."

The Spanish high street chain previously faced criticism over its use of sweatshops in August 2011, after a Sao Paolo contractor was found to be employing workers in dangerous and unhealthy conditions.

My heart is so heavy because I really love Zara but at the same time, if this is true, it's beyond awful. No one should have to suffer such cruelty for the sake of fashion. Say it isn’t so!