Date of publication: December 18, 2006
Source: Business News
Author: Pete Engardio
Many major American retail chains and brand-name manufacturers have
answered criticism that they exploit "sweatshop" labor by adopting codes
of conduct and on-site monitoring of their Chinese suppliers. But a
BusinessWeek investigation found that in China, many factories have just
improved their skill at concealing abuses. Our Nov. 27 Cover Story,
"Secrets, Lies, and Sweatshops," revealed that numerous Chinese
factories keep fake books to fool outside inspectors and distribute
scripts for employees to recite if they are questioned. Local
consultants have surfaced to assist suppliers in evading auditors and
undermining codes of conduct...