Giorgio Armani bags and accessories were produced by 'exploited' Chinese ... trends now
Giorgio Armani bags and accessories were produced by 'exploited' Chinese workers near Milan, Italian Police said today.
The force claimed that an unauthorised subcontractor employed the staff and that the fashion house failed to monitor the health and safety flaws.
According to police, GA Operations hired a subcontractor, which in turn hired unauthorised Chinese subcontractors that employed workers under the table, some of whom were in Italy illegally.
However, Giorgio Armani has denied wrongdoing by GA Operations, which produces apparel, accessories and furnishings for the Giorgio Armani Group brands.
The Italian Police force claimed Giorgio Armani bags and accessories were produced by 'exploited' Chinese workers in workshops (pictured)
A kitchen in a workshop where the designer goods are being produced in Italy
A workshop where Chinese employees, some of whom were in Italy illegally, were working for the fashion brand
They allegedly disregarded health and safety regulations as well as rules governing working hours, breaks and days off.
Police said it was part of a system of caporalato, the illegal intermediation and exploitation of workers most often associated with the agricultural sector.
Four Chinese factory owners face a separate criminal investigation for their role.
GA Operations, meanwhile, is not under investigation, but has been placed under judicial administration for up to a year as part of a procedure to ensure legal operations, said Lieutenant Colonel Loris Baldassarre, of the Carabinieri.
A diagram released by police indicated that the Chinese subcontractor was paid 93 euros (£79) for a handbag that the fashion house sold
