workers-rights

LVMH-owned Dior missed glaring problems during an assessment of working and safety conditions in its production arm in Italy last year, according to a review of unpublished court documents.

Following the closing of ports on the East and Gulf coasts, which accounts for more than 50 percent of apparel and accessories imported in the US, retailers are left to figure out how to get their goods to their stores and customers ahead of the busiest time of year.

Dockworkers across the US East and Gulf coasts have launched a historic strike for the first time in nearly 50 years, disrupting operations at 36 major ports and potentially causing an economic loss of up to $4.5 billion daily.

The luxury brand, which is under scrutiny for links to sweatshop labour in Italy, was behind on publishing supply chain disclosures required by UK law until last month.

The country’s prime minister resigned and fled the country on Monday after weeks of protests roiled the world’s second-largest garment exporter.

Some shareholders are asking the luxury giant to take more aggressive steps to monitor its supply chain after Italian prosecutors alleged factories manufacturing for Dior exploited workers.

A court in Milan ordered a one-year receivership for Giorgio Armani Operations, described as an industrial company of the Armani Group, according to the ruling seen by Reuters.

A vote widely seen as rigged could spark another round of protests and violence, with the country’s millions of garment workers on the front lines. The fashion industry has been reluctant to get involved, but may find it has no other choice.