RoadWearier

Bad enough using sweat shop labor, but then not even paying the workers?

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/recent-investigation-reveals-that-specialized-owes-salvadoran-workers-dollar659000-in-unpaid-wages

Barry2 

Would it not be the owner of the factory that pays wages and not the customer of the product?
Deep pockets maybe ?

Barry

Wileyrat

I’m no fan of Specialized, but if they received and paid for the products already, it seems they don’t have any other responsibility here.

TiHabanero

This is the real danger of the internet being played out right in front of us. None of us have knowledge of Salvadorian labor law or contract law, all we have is some minimal information, but no knowledge of the laws. I see the union is utilizing the internet into getting some action from Specialized as they know that some of us will consider this minimal information to be knowledge and cry out loudly for Specialized to accept responsibility for these workers wages.
No, I am not a Specialized fanboy, in fact I don't own anything Specialized, and in general dislike the brand.

base2 

Well, we do have this quoted from the article itself:

It sounds to me that they are in violation according to El Salvadoran law. Considering the other companies that contract with the factory have agreed to (at least some) payment, we can infer that those companies feel that El Salvadoran law applies, too. So, there is that.

I'm not an El Salvadoran law attorney. It is maybe possible that the other for-profit companies that are not Specialized or Hanes paid the factory workers out of the goodness of their hearts because they truly love the workers and are always looking to pamper them with luxury, lollipops, and good feelings from fuzzy bunnies and El Salvador an Labor law wasn't even a consideration in their benevolent generosity. But, what do I know?

veganbikes

Keep in mind that this factory also produced for Gildan and Hanes. Gildan and a 4th company did pay 2/3s of the total wages which is something. Whether that was legally required or it was a CYA sort of deal we may not know (we know they met with workers on that) I would wonder how the breakdown is for the 4 companies using that factory I would have to imagine probably Gildan and Hanes are the biggest but that would be interesting to know.

However in the end just meet with the workers and come to an agreement. Heck go to the area and pay the workers and distribute some free bikes to the families. Make it look really good for you even if it is a silly PR thing make yourself look amazing. It will help your image even if it does cost money people will see that and will heap praise on you even if not totally deserved.

alcjphil

Do you think that these people will benefit from a few free bikes?
Money talks

veganbikes

Make sure you read what I said:
I said pay them first and then give some free bikes out. Benefit yes, bikes are a great tool for so many people all over the world for many different reasons but even if not they are still good PR once they have paid the money and met with them. I am not saying replace any of the money with bikes the bikes are just like a tip sort of thing.

Heck make them Buffalo bikes or a similar program like the Buffalo bikes where they have a local mechanic trained up and such. I cannot think of a lot of people in this world who wouldn't benefit from a bike in some way or another aside from those who actually cannot ride due to a physical issue or live in an area that is somehow not cycle-able without being a pretty skilled mountain biker.

indyfabz

I’ll check back after dinner.

zandoval 

Evidently the Apparel that was made in El Salvador was not paid for. Or quite possibly an improper or quasi governmental contract was not reimbursed. Either way... Its Just Money... Only Money... No Money... No Parts... No Deal...

Barry2 

Please quote source

Thanks

Barry

zandoval 

I briefly dug into this and got confused. Doing business in another country is difficult. There is their own versions of Unions and Governmental and Economic Control. Could it be that entering into a contract with a manufacturing source is actually hiring that manufacturing sources employees. To the point they are working directly for you. Kinda twisted the way we look at it but it is normal in some countries. Even big companies like Specialized could possibly stroke a group the wrong way and get a problem.

I asked my neighbor who is from El Salvador and it would appear that the manufacturing plants involved with Specialized and Hains are in Santa Ana. He says the three big manufacturing areas in El Salvador are Santa Ana, San Salvador, and San Miguel. He also said that doing business in those areas was immensely different in each area. With each area having its own hiring, firing, and contractual laws. Go figure. Here are a few sources but its hard trying to get the real story.
https://cleanclothes.org/news/2024/c...age-theft-case

https://www.workersrights.org/wp-con...l-Salvador.pdf
https://milcoapparel.com/
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/ab...ce/el-salvador
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/r...n-unpaid-wages
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wor...ctory-workers/

At least ARENA or FMLN are not involved... Yet...

Barry2 

zandoval ,
I’m IT for a manufacturer of women’s clothing, but not in El Salvador.
None of our offshore factories work that way, we simply spec a product and contract to purchase the completed items.

Barry

wheelreason

3rd world garment workers exploited and defrauded of their wages, and 1st world corporations using sub contractors to distance themselves? Who knew...

Outrider1

Nah, I better not...

Barry2 

My hat is off !

I tried not to, and failed.
But I did try to tread really gently.

Barry

Lamont Cobb

Polaris OBark

There is a reason it is called El Slaveador.