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.

Sun Shui Shing Industrial (Cambodia)

Country: Cambodia
Last Updated: 2024
Issues: Freedom of Association Violations, Gender-based Violence and Discrimination

The WRC’s investigation found that, immediately after workers established an independent union at the factory to address complaints of forced overtime and verbal abuse, the factory management launched an intense campaign of illegal retaliation that included: suspensions and firings of five worker leaders and activists; gender-based threats of violence against these workers; and threats of…

APS El Salvador

Country: El Salvador
Last Updated: 2024
Issues: Statutory Benefit Violations, Wage Theft

This report outlines the investigative findings and recommendations for remedial action of the WRC concerning unpaid wages, legal severance, and other terminal compensation owed to workers at the Salvadoran garment factory, APS El Salvador, which closed in August 2022. The WRC initiated an investigation into the factory’s failure to pay this compensation in response to…

Style Avenue S.A.

Country: El Salvador
Last Updated: 2024
Issues: Abuse and Harassment, Freedom of Association Violations, Health & Safety Violations, Overtime Violations, Statutory Benefit Violations, Wage Theft, Wrongful Termination

Style Avenue was found to have multiple and repeated labor rights violations, including forced overtime, illegal terminations, verbal abuse by management, failure to respect freedom of association, locking workers in the factory, excessive heat, and unsanitary conditions.

Westtex Apparel

Country: El Salvador
Last Updated: 2024
Issues: Freedom of Association Violations

In 2023, the WRC investigated violations of workers’ rights at the Salvadoran garment factory known as Westtex Apparel. The WRC’s investigation found that, between June 2021 and March 2023, the factory illegally fired five union leaders who organized unions at Westtex in order to address issues of harassment and abuse, production requirements for workers, and…

Horizon Manufacturing

Country: Haiti
Last Updated: 2024
Issues: Wage Theft

The Horizon Manufacturing garment factory, located in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, shut down operations in April 2022. At the time of the closure, the factory owner failed to pay the factory’s 532 employees more than $300,000 they were owed in terminal benefits as required by Haitian law. The violations by factory owners were remedied when factory buyers…

Industrial Hana

Country: Guatemala
Last Updated: 2024
Issues: Wage Theft

Industrial Hana, a garment factory in Guatemala, permanently closed operations in October 2023, failing to pay legally required severance to its 229 employees. The factory produced garments, under subcontracting relationships with other local manufacturers, for Lucky Brand, American Eagle Outfitters, Hanesbrands, and Gillz. Read More:

Trax Apparel

Country: Cambodia
Last Updated: 2024
Issues: Freedom of Association Violations

The WRC identified multiple violations of Cambodian law and university labor standards at Trax Apparel, a collegiate supplier to adidas, including the illegal firing of eight workers in retaliation for forming a union to seek better working conditions. Initially, management reinstated four of the eight leaders, however, with only partial back pay and subjected them…

Suditi Industries

Country: India
Last Updated: 2024
Issues: Health & Safety Violations, Minimum Wage, Statutory Benefit Violations, Wage Theft

The WRC documented several serious labor rights violations including: payment of subminimum wages and failure to pay overtime and legal benefits to unregistered workers; and serious occupational health and safety hazards throughout the factory. After the WRC continued to press the factory to both compensate these workers and undergo a valid fire safety inspection by…

Premium Apparel

Country: Haiti
Last Updated: 2024
Issues: Abuse and Harassment, Freedom of Association Violations, Wage Theft

In November 2023, Premium Apparel closed operations and failed to pay its workers severance and other terminal benefits. The primary buyer, Gildan (which also sourced blanks for the university licensee New Agenda), promptly committed to make full payment of the workers’ severance. Gildan’s contribution of approximately $700,000 was distributed to workers in January 2024.

Body Fashion

Country: Thailand
Last Updated: 2023
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…