Kardashian Slave Labour Denials: Did They Know About Sweatshop Conditions?

December 22, 2011 by Hollywoodite

There are some mixed messages coming out of the Kardashains camp, as they flail under the weight of this sweatshop scandal. They’ve issued several statements, which are covered below, and several human rights organisations have reacted by called them liars.

When confronted about the scandal, pimp momager’s initial reaction to TMZ.com was: the factories were “strictly policed” and there were no child labor or human rights violations.

Someone should have fed that to their rep, who claimed the family had no idea the clothes were made in Chinese factories: “This is the first we are hearing about it and take it very seriously as we would never condone this. We are presently investigating the situation [and are taking this] very seriously.” The rep also told GossipCop.com: the Star report is “100 percent NOT TRUE.”

So, they’ve issued a conflicting denials and pled ignorance. Okay then.

Judy Gearhart, Executive Director of the International Labor Rights Forum is calling them out. Saying it’s irresponsible not to know where/ how your products are being made: “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… You would think they would have learned by now.”

Robert Shapiro, who owns ShoeDazzle, issued his own denial to TMZ, after his brand was dragged into the scandal. The ShoeDazzle COO, Deborah Benton, who has personally visited the factories, gave a more coherant denial: “This issue of child labor is of paramount importance to us. We’ve been very focused on this from the very beginning. Factories are routinely [specifically, daily] inspected and always pass inspection. I’m more than happy to work with any organization that reaches out to us with a concern.”

IMAGE CREDIT – STAR MAGAZINE