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The Role of Piecework Compensation in Labor Exploitation in the Los Angeles Garment Industry

Nabos, Alnea F. The Role of Piecework Compensation in Labor Exploitation in the Los Angeles Garment Industry. 2022. Radford University, Thesis. Radford University Scholars' Repository.

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Abstract

The fashion world has struggled for decades with substandard practices and questionable behaviors regarding the manufacturing process. Each year, several fashion corporations make headlines for inhumane practices, child labor, environmental damages, and horrific working conditions. With fast fashion on the rise, these problems have only escalated, and the world of fashion manufacturing is experiencing a crisis in execution and labor ethics. The purpose of this research study was to explore the roles of the multiple stakeholders in the Los Angeles garment industry, including apparel producers, designers, workers, and consumers, and their perspective on ways to reduce the exploitation of labor due to the piecework system. In this research project, the fashion-manufacturing problem of labor exploitation related to piecework compensation in the Los Angeles garment industry is examined through design-thinking sessions with key players in the industry, providing crucial insight into causes, impacts, and solutions to redressing this latest example of industry malfeasance. The research study gained specific insights into the role of piece-rate compensation and identifying contributing factors that continue to influence business practices to engage with piece-rate. Through the selected industry stakeholders as participants, this study provided a current update to the state of Los Angeles garment manufacturing and provides possible incentives to end piece-rate and move towards better, sustainable, and ethical practices.

Item Type: Thesis
Subjects: A General Works > AC Collections. Series. Collected works
Divisions: Radford University > College of Visual and Performing Arts > Department of Design
Date Deposited: 11 Jul 2022 12:19
Last Modified: 20 Apr 2023 18:24
URI: http://wagner.radford.edu/id/eprint/876

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