The Tiny Dominican Factory That Disproves the Need for Sweatshops

The quest for ethical clothing production can seem futile. Many in the industry see low pay, unsafe labor conditions, and a host of other indignities commonly associated with garment-factory work abroad as vexing and intractable problems.

For one thing, there are real doubts that consumers’ desire for clothing made in less-abusive conditions could ever override their desire for low prices. Another issue is just how sprawling the global supply chain is—brands can have trouble accounting for every single factory and worker that has a hand in creating a garment. These are some of the things that brands have said can their ability to increase wages and weed out ; they have also that it’s up to local governments to establish a minimum wage that covers workers’ living expenses.