The garment trade takes root in Lesotho
Owned by the Taiwanese group CGM, a factory in Lesotho symbolizes an effort to supplant manufacturers in Asia who have been targeted for sweatshop-like working conditions. But inspections have found poor ventilation, shortages of safety equipment, and obstructed emergency exits.
Workers at a garment factory in Maseru, capital of Lesotho. The factory is owned by CGM, a Taiwanese-based group. These workers are doing hand-sanding of jeans to make them look "distressed" before they are sold in stores. The hand-sanding can create dangerous levels of dust in the air, so the workers are required to wear face masks to protect their lungs, but many workers do not.Geoffrey York/The Globe and Mail
Workers at a garment factory in Maseru, capital of Lesotho. The factory is owned by CGM, a Taiwanese-based group. Workers wear jackets and hats because of the cold winter weather. They are also required to wear face masks to protect their lungs from dust and fibres, but many workers do not.Geoffrey York/The Globe and Mail
Workers at a garment factory in Maseru, capital of Lesotho. The factory is owned by CGM, a Taiwanese-based group.Geoffrey York/The Globe and Mail
Workers at a garment factory in Maseru, capital of Lesotho. The factory is owned by CGM, a Taiwanese-based group.Geoffrey York/The Globe and Mail
Workers at a garment factory in Maseru, capital of Lesotho. The factory is owned by CGM, a Taiwanese-based group. Workers wear jackets and hats because of the cold winter weather. They are also required to wear face masks to protect their lungs from dust and fibres, but many workers do not.Geoffrey York/The Globe and Mail
Lu Fang, owner of Maseru E-Textile, with workers at his garment factory in Maseru, capital of Lesotho.Geoffrey York/The Globe and Mail