Factory Conditions

Contract factories throughout the world have shortcomings. Ours are no exception. Human rights infractions are endemic regardless of geography, government, and culture. There is no ideal location for factories. The findings of our factory audits are sobering, yet we remain confident that we can foster measured and incremental improvements.

Our factory visits have shown recurring infractions in four main categories. These findings are consistent with independent studies by the Fair Labor Association, so are not likely to be under-reported.

Root causes of infractions are complex; understanding them is critical to effecting change.

Although infractions tend to be more frequent and severe in eastern (Asian) factories than western (Canadian) factories, Canadian factories are not flawless. Workers in the east are more likely to be physically harmed and improperly paid, but western factories have their share of health, safety, and payroll issues. We also see an overwhelming concentration of Asian immigrant women in local factories, which suggests an inequity common in developed economies: an occupational ghetto low in pay, status, and power, dominated by ethnic minority women.