Letters: Sweatshop scandals
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: The designer clothes racket and its reliance on illegal child labour raises the question of the extent to which Western governments collude in this vile trade.
For example, the European Union helps, by its restrictions on "grey" imports, to maintain the high prices for these goods in Europe.
Within this country, the ever-vigilant Trading Standards Office searches out and prosecutes any enterprising British business that attempts to copy the over-priced designer garment and sell it at an economic price.
In both cases, European law and the European taxpayer are helping to support a lucrative restrictive practice in favour of wealthy American businesses, which works against the interest of the European consumer and, as your piece shows, is one which is founded on abuse and exploitation.
If the restrictions on "grey" imports were removed and the full force of the law were not brought down on every Dell Trotter who bangs out a Ralph Lauren copy for a fiver, then the profits of the large designer companies would be undermined and there might be less incentive to employ slave labour.
Dr CHRIS PAYNE
London UB8
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments