With globalization on the rise sweatshops are almost extinct in the US. When we see tags that say “Made in the US” that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s made in the US. Like when reading the book Selling Women Short, we find out that “Made in the US” really means mad in US territories. Now a new company has set the trend for other companies to follow. American Apparel has become a multi-million dollar company on selling clothing that does not partake in overseas exploitation. American Apparel is mostly known for their fitted t-shirts and also the fact that the clothing is label free. This company states that it’s committed to being a sweatshop free and labor fair company. American Apparel has been receiving positive media and excellent business because it doesn’t exploit overseas labor. This has attracted many consumers and has made American Apparel an ever so growing company. The creator of American Apparel, Dov Charney, states that his factory workers earn on average $12.50, more than the state of California’s minimum wage. I love the new way that this company thinks. American Apparel also provides its factory workers with benefits such as; subsidized private health care, computer classes, discounted bus passes and lunches, free English classes, as well as free on-site massages. It’s not all about profit, it’s about caring for those that work for you and help make the company a success. This is the way that all companies should be. Instead most companies like Coca-Cola, Nike, and Sean Jean enslave their overseas workers with long hours, low pay, and horrible working conditions. I watched a documentary on American Apparel and Charney is a very interesting character. He is very interactive with his workers and also knows many of them by their first names. He seems to care a lot about his workers and their well being. The workers said that they loved the company because it provides them with opportunities. Many of the workers were Spanish speaking employees and they loved the fact that they were provided with English class. This type of company makes it possible for workers to get out of living in poverty and provides better opportunities. Many companies can learn from American Apparel and see that people are becoming more aware of overseas exploitation. Americans are moving towards a greener prospective.
This the American Apparel Store on Broadway over in Seattle.
http://americanapparel.net/presscenter/articles/20040803montrealgazette.html
6 comments:
American Apparel sounds like an awesome company. It is giving opportunity for those less fortunate to make something for themselves. There are certainly many people out there who are hard workers. Often they simply do not have a specific skill set, per se, but given the chance they can prove themselves worthy of earning a living wage. Personally, I had never heard about American Apparel's great business model. Now knowing how much they appreciate their employees, I will be looking for their products. Investing in ones employees is a smart idea since the company actually can benefit from this. By offering English classes A.A. can now receive vital feedback on other ways they can improve. It can be assumed, this may be more difficult with a language barrier. Seems the saying "You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" really can work out after all!
The idea that the company American Apparel goes by is a good one that other countries should start to follow. Giving those who work for the company manufacturing the clothes the opportunity learn the English language and pay them a good living wage is something that is never done by other companies. Many companies take the easy way out by going overseas to send their work and then not worrying about the image that their company is projecting over there. By having the industrial part of the company in the United States and having benefits and other privileges given to employees is a great standard that should be followed by other companies.
I have always felt that if I at least always purchase items stating "made in America", I am not only supporting American companies, but those that do not outsource their labor. I am proven wrong and am quite inspired by American Apparel. A happy employee is a productive employee, thus creating a lucrative business that does not deal legal entanglements and protesters concerned about their employees’ welfare and working conditions. By having more opportunities to fit in with the social structure through language education and higher salaries, it makes the employees want to work, rather than hating their lifestyle.
Sweatshops have always bothered me, and they did so even more after we watched that film in class that followed the stories of some women that worked in sweatshops. It made an even bigger impression to actually see them and see the conditions that they are forced to work in. I really appreciate American Apparel for that they are doing, and will make an effort to shop their instead.
wow. i never really knew that american apparel was very friendly to its workers. what the company does is really cool. i've visited one of the stores on broadway back home in seattle but wasnt really impressed by it for some reason. that was a few years ago. maybe i should have a second glance now. i often look at the labels and think about the conditions the workers who made the clothes i made. my mom tells me to avoid buying shirts labeled "made in the philippines." kinda wish more companys were good to its workers
The media is saturated with everything that's negative in the world, it is nice and almost refreshing to hear about positive things. When I think of fashion giants first thing that comes to mind is Nike/Jordan assembling products for pennies and selling them for +/- $100. I was totally oblivious to American Apparel and how they treat the people who make them what they've become
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