Although I was aware the situation was less than ideal, I was appalled at what was reported.
Workers were at their sewing machines, seated on benches with no backrests, at 2 p.m. The sign on the wall indicated they were behind in production. The quota for that day was 600 pairs of women's slacks, and they had produced only 189. So they would be expected to sit there sewing until the quota was met, no matter how long it took. Many times they have to work through the night.
These people earn a salary that is the equivalent of $182 a month, and sometimes they must wait a couple of months before they are paid. Also, they pay a fee to the recruiter who arranged for their jobs.
Workers live in a large barracks-type of building and have very little time off. Any complaints from the workforce are either ignored, or those making them are punished.
Many articles of clothing we buy have been made by such downtrodden people. A number of large department chains, both discount and upscale, rely on goods from these factories.
It's unlikely that anyone, least of all I, will cease buying clothes to add to the outfits in my closet, many of which I hardly wear. I certainly will continue to keep looking for shoes, increasing the supply of 20-plus pairs.
However, I might want to think about those poor exploited workers from time to time and remember … "There, but for the grace of God, go I."
Jeanette Kauffman
Southern Pines
