After announcing that it would be closing its El Progreso, Honduras, sewing facility (see SEW_0430), Gildan Activewear has responded to the Fair Labor Associations independent audit of the facility. The audit brought up several deficiencies, but did not find evidence of the intimidation and anti-union practices alleged by other organizations.
The list of problems discovered by the FLA included inadequate exits, missing signage, and employees not using the respiratory masks that were provided. Perhaps the most serious finding was a staff doctor who was accused of inappropriate behavior by many female employees. Gildan has since fired the physician.
According to the company, even though the El Progresso facility will be closing, it intends to use its response as a model upon which to further refine standards for its other sewing facilities in the region.
Gldan says that its decision to close the facility has nothing to do with the FLA audit, and is purely an economic decision.
