The Italian competition guard dog declared Friday that he had fined the giant of luxury goods Giorgio Armani 3.5 million euros ($ 4 million) for misleading consumers on dangerous conditions for workers who produce bags and accessories.The guard dog sanctioned the fashion group based in Milan for “misleading statements of ethical and social responsibility that were in contrast with the actual working conditions found in suppliers and subcontractors”.
“The companies have released unrealistic ethical and social statements that have not been presented clearly, specificly, accurate and unequivocal,” he added in a declaration.
He said that Armani has outsourced an “important part” of his leather bag and the production of accessories to suppliers who relied on subcontractors.The guard dog quoted the cases in which “the safety devices had been removed from the machinery to increase the production capacity, thus placing a serious risk for the safety and health of workers”.
“The conditions of hygiene and health were inadequate, while workers were often employed totally or partially” outside the books “.”
The guard dog judged that “respect for the rights and health of workers did not correspond to ethical and social responsibility declarations” issued by the company.
He said that the brand was aware of the situation “which seriously damaged the workers who produced bags and accessories in Armani brand leather”.
The guard dog did not say where workers are based.Giorgio Armani slammed the sentence, expressing “disappointment and bitterness” in a declaration.
He said he would appeal to the decision and promised that “he always operated with the utmost equity and transparency towards consumers”.
OC/AMS/RLP
