Gucci to check Chinese suppliers after TV exploitation charges
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Italian fashion house Gucci said on Monday it would strengthen controls on its suppliers after a television program showed Chinese employees working more than three times their official hours to assemble its handbags.
The head of a Gucci subcontractor told an investigative program broadcast by RAI state television on Sunday that Gucci was aware it irregularly employed Chinese workers.
Aroldo Guidotti of subcontractor Mondo Libero (Free World) said the employees toiled away for as long as 14 hours a day, while they were supposed to work only for four hours, to assemble handbags that he sold to Gucci for EUR24 (USD29).
Questions & Answers
Q.What specifically is Gucci planning to do in response to the allegations?
What specifically is Gucci planning to do in response to the allegations?
Gucci stated it would strengthen controls on its suppliers. This follows claims by a subcontractor that Chinese employees were working excessive hours to assemble their handbags, far beyond their official four-hour shifts.
Q.Which specific subcontractor was involved in the alleged labour exploitation?
Which specific subcontractor was involved in the alleged labour exploitation?
The subcontractor involved was Mondo Libero (Free World). Its head, Aroldo Guidotti, told the investigative programme that Gucci was aware of the irregular employment of Chinese workers, who toiled for up to 14 hours daily.
Q.What was the discrepancy between the actual and official working hours for the Chinese employees?
What was the discrepancy between the actual and official working hours for the Chinese employees?
The Chinese employees were allegedly working for as long as 14 hours a day. However, they were officially supposed to work only four hours to assemble the handbags that the subcontractor sold to Gucci.
Q.How much did Gucci pay the subcontractor for each handbag assembled by these workers?
How much did Gucci pay the subcontractor for each handbag assembled by these workers?
Gucci paid the subcontractor EUR24 (USD29) for each handbag assembled by these workers. This was revealed by Aroldo Guidotti, the head of subcontractor Mondo Libero, during the television program.
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