The authority said their statements contrasted with the actual working conditions of the people who make the fashion house’s products.
The authority added that the Giorgio Armani SpA and G.A. Operations SpA companies “chose to outsource a substantial portion of their production of leather bags and accessories to suppliers who, in turn, relied on subcontractors”.
“At several of these subcontracting facilities, it was found that safety devices had been removed from machinery in order to increase production capacity, thereby placing workers’ health and safety at serious risk.
“Furthermore, sanitary and hygiene conditions were inadequate, and workers were frequently employed either wholly or partially off the books.
“In this context, it is evident that the protection of workers’ rights and health did not align with the content of the ethical and social responsibility statements disseminated by Giorgio Armani SpA. and G.A. Operations SpA.”
It said the companies were aware of a situation that was “seriously detrimental to the workers producing Armani branded leather bags and accessories” as a quality-control employee had regularly visited a subcontractor’s facility.
It also said an internal Giorgio Armani SpA document also showed the company was aware of the situation.
Giorgio Armani SpA expressed “bitterness and astonishment” at the decision and said it was confident it would be overturned on appeal, as it was certain that it had “always operated with the utmost correctness and transparency towards consumers, the market and stakeholders”.
ANSA
