Karen Millen has “frozen all orders” to Leisure Clothing
Published:
November 5, 2014 at 11:57pm
In reply to a tweeted question today, Karen Millen said that it has “frozen all orders” to Leisure Clothing “until enquiries are complete”.
“We have a strict code of conduct re treatment of staff,” Karen Millen said in reply.
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It took Karen Millen six days to answer.
It took the government 27 years to notice.
The story about the Chinese workers in Malta is only shocking because it is happening at home. How do people think that China can produce goods at very low prices?
When we keep demanding gadgets, clothes etc., at lower prices they have to be made in China. Are we ready to pay double or triple the price for our smartphones so that they are made in Europe?
You’re overlooking the fact that it’s not the low wages that make this story so shocking.
Yes. I would rather not buy anything, than buy slave labour products. No slave labour or fake labels for me!
What I wear represents me and I’m sorry to say that the Chinese are not clothing designers, they are basically on an assembly line in these factories cutting the fabric, trimming the fabric, etc.
Do I detect a hint of justification there?
I would say that it is also shocking because it is happening in a country which has legislation which should protect the workers. A country where, in theory at least, the government and other institutions should be held accountable for the health and safety of those living and working there. A country where unions should raise red flags and object to exploitation, where mechanisms like ETC have a set of rules they should abide by and a country where greasing someone’s palm to look the other way is illegal. This is who we say we are when we sit at table and pose for pictures with other democracies.
We expect that phoning inspectors to stop inspections does not happen as we would expect work to be fairly remunerated and not given to those who have no option but to do it for whatever miserly sum because they are not free to refuse.
Chinese people brought here have the huge disadvantage of language and not knowing who to trust and where to go for help. An illicit status would only compound the situation and if papers are held by the handler they are as powerless as if they are illegals.
So the situation is more damning when this is happening in Malta because no one can say they do not know what happens in China, wherer they buy the product is their choice. Using a made in Malta or EU label is simply widening the profit margin and gaining market access when even the minimum working conditions in Malta are not being met.
So no, it is not the same as what happens in China , this is the wolf in sheep’s clothing in order to enter the flock and drink the lamb’s milk while keeping the other sheep away from the grass while the ram is fine with it, as long as he gets his extra grass.
But are the rams in fact wethers? Why are they hiding behind what was happening in that inspection or the other inspection? There is such a thing as a paper trail and an electronic trail. Is everyone busy uncovering or hiding the mess?
I’m sure when the gate starts to open a lot of bulls will be running out! This story has many connections it seems!
‘It happened in a country which has legislation protecting workers’ and a Union which is either on the take or has been in negotiations with the Chinese on behalf of the Labour Party, for decades.
If Millen is waiting for the results of inquiries, there are two possibilities: (1) there is going to be one hell of a long wait or (2) the inquiry is all but wrapped up and inconclusive, due to lack of evidence.
Issa nwaqqfu l-importazzjoni tal-hwejjeg u zraben mic-China u anke mill-Italja, u elf oggett iehor.
Ghax kollox mic-Cina jigi u made in Italy minn idejn il-Mafjuzi. Anke l-hwejjeg ta’ ditti rinomati. Fic-Cina skjavitu kbir hemm.
What is wrong with these fashion houses in Europe?
Don’t they check out the factories that make their clothing?
I remember about ten years ago a US fashion designer found out through the media that her clothes were being made in a slave labour factory. Under pressure from the media and buyers, her line of clothing was shut down.
Her reputation as a designer was ruined. She got a lot of heat from it. Because either they know or don’t care.
Karen Millen, I will never buy. This has been a REAL wake-up call for me.
I thought European designers were different. Real designers that hire real workers, not assembly line slave labours!
When a designer takes an interest and oversees what is going on in making their garment then they are considered by my standards a clothing designer.
Read that tweet again. Karen Millen says quite clearly that the company has suspended its orders pending investigation.
The others should follow suit.
Investigation? Where there’s smoke, there’s fire!
The only correct thing to do: BORTEX, if in a similar position, please follow ‘suit’.
Haven’t you seen the reply by Bortex?
Er, well no I haven’t either.
There are many such factories operating in Italy. The “made in Italy” tag comes at a price too.
Two days ago one of the posts concerned Label C sponsoring Andrea Cassar.
The photos showed Andrea wearing two different outfits designed by Label C.
However I am sure that three years ago I tried the second outfit in a Karen Millen shop in London.
My concern is whether Label C is copying the designs of clothes produced by Leisure Clothing for the top designers.
If that is so I am sure Karen Millen and other top labels will stop using the services of Leisure Clothing.
Is Label C selling clothes which were actually deigned by other designers?
What are the Maltese human rights organizations doing to stop slave labour in Malta?
Absolute crap. They’ll just move their production lines to some other place. It’s the only way they can get a “Made in Europe” label at low cost.
MonCler retail their jackets in excess of 1000 euros, and they are made in Moldovia at a cost of 30 euros.
Welcome to the world of designer fashion.
The list is endless – just check your Ralph Lauren, Nike, Tommy, Armani etc labels. Has anyone wondered how these staff working in these countries are treated?
I have bought my last suit at Bortex. Not even a pair of socks in future. I am disgusted and embarrassed at my lack of awareness in the past.
Pretending not to know what is going on is hypocritcal and puerile.
The West knows exactly what is going on and is deliberately allowing it to happen I claim.
Capitalism and globalisation are the best vehicles to penetrate Asian and east European dictatorial countries.
The marriage of capitalism with undemocratic values in India and China is a new phenomena which many argue will erode autocratic and oppressive values little by little. This should lead a more affluent society and an uprising for democracy.
The long term goal is the downfall of totalitarian states.