Factory Investigations
The WRC has conducted hundreds of factory investigations in more than two dozen countries, many in response to complaints from workers and worker organizations. You can browse case summaries, full public reports, and related documents and background information for many of these investigations below. Reports include detailed information on findings, the WRC’s recommendations for remedies (from reinstatement of illegally fired workers, to urgent safety improvements, to back pay) and whether or not brands and factories have implemented these remedies. Click on a factory name in the results to view the case summary and links to the full report and other documents.
Metro Wear 2
Country: Philippines
Last Updated: 2025
Issues: Freedom of Association Violations, Wrongful Termination
The WRC’s investigation uncovered severe and persistent violations of workers’ associational rights, after establishing a union to address low pay, excessive production quotas, and unfair job evaluations at Metro Wear 2, a factory in the Philippines with a workforce of nearly 2,000 that makes university licensed clothing for lululemon. Factory management violated its employees’ right…
The Willbes
Country: Haiti
Last Updated: 2025
Issues: Freedom of Association Violations, Gender-based Violence and Discrimination, Wrongful Termination
In 2024, the Haitian factory known as The Willbes carried out a large-scale staff reduction that resulted in the dismissal of four pregnant employees and nine union leaders, among other workers. Haitian law protects pregnant workers from dismissal and the Haitian Ministry of Labor, in keeping with the International Labour Organization’s Recommendation 143 on Worker…
Industrial Hana
Country: Guatemala
Last Updated: 2025
Issues: Wage Theft
Industrial Hana, a garment factory in Guatemala, permanently closed operations in October 2023, failing to pay legally required severance to approximately 250 employees. The factory produced garments, under subcontracting relationships with other local manufacturers, for Lucky Brand (owned by Catalyst, Authentic Brands Group, and Shein), American Eagle Outfitters, and Puma. The WRC engaged with factory…
Wing Star Shoes
Country: Cambodia
Last Updated: 2025
Issues: Freedom of Association Violations
The WRC’s investigation uncovered severe retaliatory actions against workers who formed an independent union. After establishing the union to address grievances, factory management took the following unlawful actions: Mr. Chan was held in prison until August 19, 2024, the same day that the appeal of his conviction was heard in court—at which point, the prosecutor…
MBI Haiti
Country: Haiti
Last Updated: 2025
Issues: Freedom of Association Violations
In April 2023, two groups of union leaders were dismissed from MBI Haiti. The first group, affiliated to the SOTA-BO union, was reinstated and paid the back wages owed to them. However, the second group, affiliated to the GOSTTRA union, was never reinstated and there was no payment of back wages. The WRC will continue…
Santa Ana Apparel
Country: El Salvador
Last Updated: 2025
Issues: Freedom of Association Violations
In May 2025, a WRC investigation found that Santa Ana Apparel, owned by Fruit of the Loom, violated university codes of conduct by unlawfully firing five workers who had, only days before, been elected as officers of a worker union at the factory. The company remedied the violations by reinstating all five employees, with full back…
Body Fashion
Country: Thailand
Last Updated: 2025
Issues: Wage Theft
This report details findings of violations of workers’ rights, Thai law, and buyer codes of conduct by Body Fashion Ltd., a clothing manufacturer in Thailand. Body Fashion suspended workers without paying legally mandated wages and then terminated workers without payment of legally mandated severance and bonuses. Including unpaid wages, severance, notice pay, bonuses, and legally…
Cozi Knit Co., Ltd. (formerly, I.K. Apparel Co., Ltd.)
Country: Cambodia
Last Updated: 2025
Issues: Freedom of Association Violations
A WRC investigation found that Cozi Knit, located in Cambodia and formerly known as I.K. Apparel, violated workers’ associational rights when it interfered with the registration process of the newly formed union, threatened workers with dismissal if they persisted in establishing a union, and unlawfully terminated six worker union representatives, who, beginning in 2019, attempted—on…
Salva Sewn
Country: El Salvador
Last Updated: 2025
Issues: Abuse and Harassment, Freedom of Association Violations
In 2025, the WRC investigated a violation of worker rights at Salva Sewn, a garment factory located in El Salvador. The WRC found that the worker, who had a physical disability, was fired illegally after she sought support of union representatives to address harassment she was experiencing from her supervisor. After the WRC engaged with…
PT Pungkook Indonesia One
Country: Indonesia
Last Updated: 2025
Issues: Freedom of Association Violations
A WRC investigation found that, after the formation of a new union to address failure to provide paid leave and protections for pregnant workers, Pungkook Indonesia One terminated the worker who was elected as the union secretary, discriminatorily transferred the job tasks of the three union representatives. One of the three union representatives was also…