According to RadarOnline, Star magazine is reporting that items in the family’s high-end K-Dash by Kardashian label and the Kris Jenner Kollection, which is sold on the home-shopping television network QVC, and ShoeDazzle, a company that Kim co-founded and endorses, are made in sweatshops in areas of China where workers are subject to inhumane conditions due to unenforced labor regulations. The sweatshops reportedly employ underage workers, some as young as sixteen. Workers are apparently forced to live in run down dormitories with the stench of sewage permeating their living spaces and are expected to work up to 84 hours a week producing goods for businesses, including those of the Kardashians.
The Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights has reportedly launched in investigation into the Kardashian clan’s fashion businesses and asking the famous family to stop benefiting from “slave” labor.
“The Kardashians are in bed with some pretty bad people,” Charles Kernaghan, the executive director of the Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights, said. “Not only are celebrities like the Kardashians taking advantage of these workers, they are holding hands with a government that spits on democracy and women’s rights.”
The Kardashian clan has quickly responded to the accusations, saying in a statement that they were unaware of any labor issues or sweatshops connected to their high-end fashions.
“This is the first we are hearing about it and take it very seriously as we would never condone this,” said their rep Jill Fritzo on their behalf. “We are presently investigating the situation.”
However, Judy Gearhart, executive director of the International Labor Rights Forum, says that there is no excuse for the Kardashians to not know about the labor conditions regarding the manufacturers of their goods.
“I think it is naive of the Kardashians to get into such a business without having looked at the implications of what it means in terms of treating their fellow human being — I think it is irresponsible. I would expect them to use factories that enforce labor laws.
“The Kardashian brand is so personalized and about family that you wouldn’t think they’d follow in the footsteps of people like Kathy Lee Gifford, you would think they would have learned by now.
“If you are going to open a clothing brand you should know where your manufacturing is done. Workers in China have access to cell phones and communications, the Kardashians tweet all the time — in today’s age of communication, there is no reason for them to do more research into where their brand is being made,” said Gearhart.
We’ll just have to wait and see how this story pans out and if the Kardashians can overcome this and their wide array of other scandals. Below, you can check out six other famous celebrity labor scandals. –nicholas robinson
