I analyzed Gap using sweat shop labor for their products.
In February 1995, workers informed Mandarin International their intent to form a union. The company responded by closing the plant on February 8. The company security guards attacked and beat some of the female workers. On February 9, the company agreed to end the lockout, recognize the union, and comply with El Salvador's labor code. However, a few days later, the company fired over 150 union members and supporters (Velasquez, 489). .
Gap management became aware of the situation late March. Stanley Raggio, senior vice president for international sourcing and logistics, went to investigate the situation. Unfortunately, he did not find any evidence of human rights abuses or other violations of the company's corporate sourcing policies. (Velasquez, 489). However, he will continue to monitor the situation. In April, the Gap suspended placement of new orders. It was decided that no more orders would be placed, until it had been determined if the allegations were well founded. .
On May 15, the Mandarin workers union called a work stoppage to protest the continual firings of union people. The company closed the plant and fired all the union leadership. An emergency commission was convened, and an agreement was reached with the company. However, the company refused to hire back the fired union leaders (Velasquez, 489). Stanley Raggio went back to El Salvador to investigate the situation. Again, his investigation was inclusive. .
At a press conference, The National Labor Relation Committee and two young maquiladora workers accused the Gap of "covering up" the situation at Mandarin International. They stated that the following conditions did occur:.
12 - 14 hour days at 56 cents an hour.
Working sixty to eighty hours a week .
Violence against union supporters .
Sexual harassment from supervisors .
Lack of clean drinking water .
Not being allowed to use the rest rooms.