11 Feb 2025
Following the Thread – Labor Abuses in Taiwan’s Textile Industry
အကျဉ်းချုပ်
Date Reported: 11 Feb 2025
Location: Taiwan
Companies
Nike - Reported buyer , Amer - Reported buyer , Burton (part of Boohoo) - Reported buyer , Canadian Tire - Reported buyer , Columbia Sportswear - Reported buyer , Cotopaxi - Reported buyer , Fanatics - Reported buyer , Fenix Group - Reported buyer , Gap - Reported buyer , Jack Wolfskin - Reported buyer , KMD Brands (formerly Kathmandu Holdings) - Reported buyer , New Balance - Reported buyer , Next - Reported buyer , Ortovox - Reported buyer , Patagonia - Reported buyer , Puma - Reported buyer , PVH (Phillips-Van Heusen) - Reported buyer , Ralph Lauren - Reported buyer , Sitka - Reported buyer , Under Armour - Reported buyer , VF Corporation - Reported buyer , Wayre Inc - Reported buyer , adidas - Reported buyer , Yeti - Reported buyer , Hanes (part of Hanesbrands) - Reported buyer , Helly Hansen - Reported buyer , Lacoste (part of MF Brands) - Reported buyer , Levi Strauss - Reported buyer , Brooks Bros (UK) Ltd - Reported buyer , LL Bean - Reported buyer , Everest - Employer , Far Eastern Group - Parent Company , Lululemon Athletica - Reported buyer , REI - Reported buyer , Rapha Racing - Reported buyer , Mountain Equipment Co-op - Reported buyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 468
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Thailand , Manufacturing: General , Gender not reported , Unknown migration status )Issues
Restricted mobility , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Recruitment Fees , Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure Time , Denial of leave , Freedom of Association , Retention of identity documents , Debt Bondage , Forced Labour & Modern Slavery , Human Trafficking , Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure Time , Intimidation , Other Discrimination , Access to Non-Judicial RemedyResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist
External link to response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Asked in November 2024 to respond to Transparentem’s findings, one supplier did not reply, another declined to comment, and the remaining suppliers said they were working toward improvements at their facilities. Some suppliers later sent further feedback, including disputing some of Transparentem’s investigation findings. Everest reported "some progress in various areas" by January 2025. Everest reimbursed workers who, according to audits, had paid fees to transfer from other factories and it reimbursed Thai workers for deposits paid to labor agents. But Everest had not agreed to a comprehensive fee reimbursement plan. The company told Transparentem: "we're working with AAFA/FLA nominated brands for DIWA audit reports". Far Eastern also replied to the NGO's request for comment (read in full in report). Lululemon and Nike were recorded as leaders of a supplier working group created to fix the issues raised in the report. As a result of Transparentem’s investigation, more than 50 apparel brands signed a letter in September 2024 urging the government of Taiwan to implement specific regulatory and legal reforms to increase protections for migrant workers. In December 2024, many buyers participated in follow-up advocacy meetings and workshops in Taiwan organized by the AAFA and FLA.
Source type: NGO
အကျဉ်းချုပ်
Date Reported: 11 Feb 2025
Location: Taiwan
Companies
adidas - Reported buyer , Lacoste (part of MF Brands) - Reported buyer , Patagonia - Reported buyer , Sitka - Reported buyer , Amer - Reported buyer , Ortovox - Reported buyer , PVH (Phillips-Van Heusen) - Reported buyer , Target - Reported buyer , Burton (part of Boohoo) - Reported buyer , Li Peng (part of Libolon Group) - Employer , Pentland Group - Reported buyer , LL Bean - Reported buyer , Lululemon Athletica - Reported buyer , Puma - Reported buyer , REI - Reported buyer , VF Corporation - Reported buyer , Apple - Reported buyer , Canadian Tire - Reported buyer , Columbia Sportswear - Reported buyer , Fanatics - Reported buyer , Fenix Group - Reported buyer , Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) - Reported buyer , Helly Hansen - Reported buyer , Jack Wolfskin - Reported buyer , KMD Brands (formerly Kathmandu Holdings) - Reported buyer , Gap - Reported buyer , Hanes (part of Hanesbrands) - Reported buyer , Levi Strauss - Reported buyer , Niagara Bottling LLC - Reported buyer , Nike - Reported buyer , Ralph Lauren - Reported buyer , Rapha Racing - Reported buyer , Under Armour - Reported buyer , Yeti - Reported buyer , Amazon.com - Reported buyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 535
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Manufacturing: General , Gender not reported , Unknown migration status )Issues
Intimidation , Recruitment Fees , Restricted mobility , Denial of leave , Other Discrimination , Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Freedom of Association , Debt Bondage , Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure Time , Access to Information , Dismissal , Precarious/Unsuitable Living ConditionsResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist
External link to response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Asked in November 2024 to respond to Transparentem’s findings, one supplier did not reply, another declined to comment, and the remaining suppliers said they were working toward improvements at their facilities. Some suppliers later sent further feedback, including disputing some of Transparentem’s investigation findings. By January 2025, Li Peng was regarded as the "fathest behind" regarding its corrective action plans in comparison to other suppliers, "with only some actions partially completed at one of four covered facilities.". It had not agreed to the specifics of a fee reimbursement plan, but had committed to repayment calculations. The company told Transparentem: "We are currently working diligently to achieve the best Corrective Action Plan (CAP). We appreciate your patience as we work towards delivering the results for these brands." It later characterised the findings as "unrealistic allegations". Adidas and Lacoste were recorded as leaders of a supplier working group created to fix the issues raised in the report. As a result of Transparentem’s investigation, more than 50 apparel brands signed a letter in September 2024 urging the government of Taiwan to implement specific regulatory and legal reforms to increase protections for migrant workers. In December 2024, many buyers participated in follow-up advocacy meetings and workshops in Taiwan organized by the AAFA and FLA.
Source type: NGO
အကျဉ်းချုပ်
Date Reported: 11 Feb 2025
Location: Taiwan
Companies
Lovetex - Employer , YKK - Reported buyer , VF Corporation - Reported buyer , Levi Strauss - Reported buyer , Rapha Racing - Reported buyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 63
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Manufacturing: General , Gender not reported , Unknown migration status )Issues
Restricted mobility , Retention of identity documents , Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure Time , Recruitment Fees , Intimidation , Debt Bondage , Access to Information , Dismissal , Freedom of Association , Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Precarious/Unsuitable Living ConditionsResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist
External link to response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Asked in November 2024 to respond to Transparentem’s findings, one supplier did not reply, another declined to comment, and the remaining suppliers said they were working toward improvements at their facilities. Some suppliers later sent further feedback, including disputing some of Transparentem’s investigation findings. According to YKK, Lovetex for many months declined support from Verité in remediation planning, but finally in January 2025, YKK said that Lovetex had decided to accept Verité’s remediation services. By January, the report says LoveTex was "furthest along" regarding its corrective action plans. Lovetex had, according to YKK, completed nearly all actions listed in its CAP, which was prepared by YKK. YKK, the only manufacturer that Transparentem engaged as a buyer, worked largely alone on remediation at Lovetex and bore the full cost of the Verité audit. Lovetex’s CAP was the only one among the suppliers’ that, as Transparentem had requested, addressed not only problems found by auditors but also those found by Transparentem’s investigation. The company responded to Transparentem: its response can be read in the report. YKK was recorded as a leader of a supplier working group created to fix the issues raised in the report. As a result of Transparentem’s investigation, more than 50 apparel brands signed a letter in September 2024 urging the government of Taiwan to implement specific regulatory and legal reforms to increase protections for migrant workers. In December 2024, many buyers participated in follow-up advocacy meetings and workshops in Taiwan organized by the AAFA and FLA.
Source type: NGO
အကျဉ်းချုပ်
Date Reported: 11 Feb 2025
Location: Taiwan
Companies
Far Eastern Group - Parent Company , adidas - Reported buyer , Nike - Reported buyer , Puma - Reported buyer , Amer - Reported buyer , Canadian Tire - Reported buyer , Fanatics - Reported buyer , Helly Hansen - Reported buyer , Jack Wolfskin - Reported buyer , Niagara Bottling LLC - Reported buyer , Rapha Racing - Reported buyer , Under Armour - Reported buyer , Far Eastern New Century (part of Far Eastern Group) - Employer , Fenix Group - Reported buyer , KMD Brands (formerly Kathmandu Holdings) - Reported buyer , Lacoste (part of MF Brands) - Reported buyer , New Balance - Reported buyer , Patagonia - Reported buyer , Pentland Group - Reported buyer , PVH (Phillips-Van Heusen) - Reported buyer , Ralph Lauren - Reported buyer , REI - Reported buyer , Target - Reported buyer , VF Corporation - Reported buyer , YKK - Reported buyer , Gap - Reported buyer , Levi Strauss - Reported buyer , Coca-Cola - Reported buyer , Columbia Sportswear - Reported buyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 602
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Vietnam , Manufacturing: General , Gender not reported , Unknown migration status )Issues
Recruitment Fees , Restricted mobility , Intimidation , Precarious/Unsuitable Living Conditions , Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure Time , Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Debt Bondage , Freedom of Association , Other Discrimination , DismissalResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist
External link to response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Asked in November 2024 to respond to Transparentem’s findings, one supplier did not reply, another declined to comment, and the remaining suppliers said they were working toward improvements at their facilities. Some suppliers later sent further feedback, including disputing some of Transparentem’s investigation findings. By January 2025, Far Eastern reported "some progress" in various areas. At one Far Eastern facility, the supplier reimbursed $1,000 each to 24 Vietnamese workers who had paid deposits. Far Eastern also agreed to reimburse workers for the cost of passport renewal during their employment. But Far Eastern had not agreed to the specifics of a fee reimbursement plan. The company told Transparentem, including by saying: "We appreciate your recognition of our collaboration with DIWA and AAFA/FLA and our brand partners to ensure compliance with labor, health and safety, and ethical standards through comprehensive audits and corrective actions...we operate in full compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and current industry standards and practices. Since January 1, 2020, we have also covered recruitment and monthly service fees under the Zero Recruitment Policy". Additional comments were sent to Transaprentem in January 2025, which can be read in the report. Adidas, Nike and Puma were recorded as leaders of a supplier working group created to fix the issues raised in the report. As a result of Transparentem’s investigation, more than 50 apparel brands signed a letter in September 2024 urging the government of Taiwan to implement specific regulatory and legal reforms to increase protections for migrant workers. In December 2024, many buyers participated in follow-up advocacy meetings and workshops in Taiwan organized by the AAFA and FLA.
Source type: NGO
အကျဉ်းချုပ်
Date Reported: 11 Feb 2025
Location: Taiwan
Companies
Caroltex - Other Value Chain Entity , adidas - Reported buyer , Burton (part of Boohoo) - Reported buyer , Fanatics - Reported buyer , Gap - Reported buyer , Hanes (part of Hanesbrands) - Reported buyer , Helly Hansen - Reported buyer , Levi Strauss - Reported buyer , Lululemon Athletica - Reported buyer , Nike - Reported buyer , Patagonia - Reported buyer , PVH (Phillips-Van Heusen) - Reported buyer , Target - Reported buyer , Under Armour - Reported buyer , VF Corporation - Reported buyer , Yeti - Reported buyer , Neng Neng - Employer , Amer - Reported buyer , REI - Reported buyer , Canadian Tire - Reported buyer , Columbia Sportswear - Reported buyer , Fenix Group - Reported buyer , Jack Wolfskin - Reported buyer , LL Bean - Reported buyer , Ortovox - Reported buyer , Rapha Racing - Reported buyer , New Balance - Reported buyer , Sitka - Reported buyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 34
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Manufacturing: General , Gender not reported , Unknown migration status )Issues
Wage Theft , Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure Time , Restricted mobility , Retention of identity documents , Recruitment Fees , Other Discrimination , Restricted mobility , Debt Bondage , Access to Information , Dismissal , Freedom of Association , Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Precarious/Unsuitable Living ConditionsResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist
External link to response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Asked in November 2024 to respond to Transparentem’s findings, one supplier did not reply, another declined to comment, and the remaining suppliers said they were working toward improvements at their facilities. Some suppliers later sent further feedback, including disputing some of Transparentem’s investigation findings. By January 2025, Neng Neng had begun work on its corrective action plan, but completed none except for handrail installation. It agreed to gather information about worker recruitment fees from former migrant workers hired after 2022 and from all current migrant workers, regardless of hire date. Caroltex responded to the NGO; its response can be read in the report. Amer and REI were recorded as leaders of a supplier working group created to fix the issues raised in the report. As a result of Transparentem’s investigation, more than 50 apparel brands signed a letter in September 2024 urging the government of Taiwan to implement specific regulatory and legal reforms to increase protections for migrant workers. In December 2024, many buyers participated in follow-up advocacy meetings and workshops in Taiwan organized by the AAFA and FLA.
Source type: NGO
အကျဉ်းချုပ်
Date Reported: 11 Feb 2025
Location: Taiwan
Companies
Tung Hsin - Employer , Nike - Reported buyer , Patagonia - Reported buyer , Puma - Reported buyer , Under Armour - Reported buyer , Levi Strauss - Reported buyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 49
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Manufacturing: General , Gender not reported , Unknown migration status )Issues
Restricted mobility , Intimidation , Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure Time , Recruitment Fees , Denial of leave , Debt Bondage , Forced Labour & Modern Slavery , Human Trafficking , Other Discrimination , Access to Non-Judicial RemedyResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist
External link to response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Asked in November 2024 to respond to Transparentem’s findings, one supplier did not reply, another declined to comment, and the remaining suppliers said they were working toward improvements at their facilities. Some suppliers later sent further feedback, including disputing some of Transparentem’s investigation findings. By January 2025, Tung Hsin was "furthest behind" in its reported corrective action plan, although its comments on its CAP indicated that it had begun work on most CAP actions and it committed to reimbursing current workers in 2025. Tung Hsin declined to comment to Transparentem, but referred Transparentem to information about corrective actions received from buyers. Its responses to the NGO in January are included in the report. Nike, Patagonia and Puma were recorded as leaders of a supplier working group created to fix the issues raised in the report. As a result of Transparentem’s investigation, more than 50 apparel brands signed a letter in September 2024 urging the government of Taiwan to implement specific regulatory and legal reforms to increase protections for migrant workers. In December 2024, many buyers participated in follow-up advocacy meetings and workshops in Taiwan organized by the AAFA and FLA.
Source type: News outlet
အကျဉ်းချုပ်
Date Reported: 11 Feb 2025
Location: Taiwan
Companies
Lucky Unique - EmployerAffected
Total individuals affected: Number unknown
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Manufacturing: General , Gender not reported , Unknown migration status )Issues
Recruitment FeesResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist
External link to response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Lucky Unique initially declined buyers’ request for an audit but later consented to a remediation process beginning with a third-party assessment. As of January 2025, all suppliers except Lucky Unique had corrective action plans in place. Lucky Unique did not initially respond to Transaprentem, and later said that the delay was due to the lack of a staff member in charge of social compliance
Source type: News outlet
အကျဉ်းချုပ်
Date Reported: 11 Feb 2025
Location: Taiwan
Companies
De Licacy - Employer , Patagonia - Reported buyer , Puma - Reported buyer , PVH (Phillips-Van Heusen) - Reported buyer , Ralph Lauren - Reported buyer , REI - Reported buyer , Sitka - Reported buyer , Target - Reported buyer , Under Armour - Reported buyer , Burton (part of Boohoo) - Reported buyer , Fanatics - Reported buyer , Gap - Reported buyer , Hanes (part of Hanesbrands) - Reported buyer , Helly Hansen - Reported buyer , Levi Strauss - Reported buyer , G-III Apparel Group - Reported buyer , The Haddad Apparel Group Ltd. - Reported buyer , Nike - Reported buyer , Rapha Racing - Reported buyer , VF Corporation - Reported buyer , Canadian Tire - Reported buyer , Cotopaxi - Reported buyer , adidas - Reported buyer , Amer - Reported buyer , Columbia Sportswear - Reported buyer , Fenix Group - Reported buyer , Jack Wolfskin - Reported buyer , Lacoste (part of MF Brands) - Reported buyer , New Balance - Reported buyer , Ortovox - Reported buyer , Yeti - Reported buyer , LL Bean - Reported buyerAffected
Total individuals affected: 227
Migrant & immigrant workers: ( Number unknown - Location unknown , Manufacturing: General , Gender not reported , Unknown migration status )Issues
Reasonable Working Hours & Leisure Time , Other Discrimination , Access to Non-Judicial Remedy , Forced Labour & Modern Slavery , Human Trafficking , Debt Bondage , Restricted mobility , Recruitment Fees , Freedom of AssociationResponse
Response sought: Yes, by Journalist
External link to response: (Find out more)
Action taken: Asked in November 2024 to respond to Transparentem’s findings, one supplier did not reply, another declined to comment, and the remaining suppliers said they were working toward improvements at their facilities. Some suppliers later sent further feedback, including disputing some of Transparentem’s investigation findings. By January 2025, Di Licacy was "furthest along" in its reported corrective action plan, reporting completion of all actions listed in its CAP. The company told Transparentem: "Please kindly be informed that we’re working on remediation of Labor Allegations related issues with AAFA and brands". Cutopaxi was recorded as a leader of a supplier working group created to fix the issues raised in the report. As a result of Transparentem’s investigation, more than 50 apparel brands signed a letter in September 2024 urging the government of Taiwan to implement specific regulatory and legal reforms to increase protections for migrant workers. In December 2024, many buyers participated in follow-up advocacy meetings and workshops in Taiwan organized by the AAFA and FLA.
Source type: NGO
...
Problems Identified at Factories
- High recruitment fees, including monthly broker fees and contract-renewal fees
- Obstacles to quitting
- Intimidation and threats and discipline by fines
- Retention of identity documents
- Restriction of movement
- Excessive overtime
- Pay and leave problems
- Abusive living and working conditions
- Deception
- Discrimination against migrant workers
- Inadequate grievance mechanisms
- Restricted freedom of association
- Abuse of vulnerability
Key Impacts
- Development and partial implementation of corrective action plans to address issues uncovered at the investigated suppliers.
- Buyer statement of intention to reimburse recruitment fees for all currently employed migrant workers.
- A new AAFA/FLA initiative to improve conditions for migrant workers in Taiwan, involving more than 50 companies and their suppliers, and the Taiwan Textile Federation.
Investigated Suppliers
- De Licacy Industrial Co. Ltd.
- Everest Textile Co., Ltd.
- Far Eastern New Century
- Li Peng Enterprise Co. Ltd.
- LeaLea Enterprise Co. Ltd.
- Lovetex Industrial Corporation
- Lucky Unique Enterprise
- Neng Neng Industrial Co., Ltd.
- Tung Hsin Dyeing Enterprise Co., Ltd.
...