LONDON (AFP)--A factory that produces jeans for U.S. clothing
retailers Gap In. (GPS) and Levi Strauss & Co. is illegally
dumping chemical waste in Lesotho, posing a major hazard to
children, the Sunday Times reports.
The weekly paper said it had discovered that the plant, operated
by Taiwanese firm Nien Hsing Textile Co. Ltd. (1451.TW), was
pouring dark blue effluent into a river used for cooking and
bathing.
The paper also alleged that the firm was dumping needles, razors
and harmful chemicals at two municipal dumps that attract young
children who search for pieces of clothing to sell.
Many of the children worked up to 10 hours a day and complained
of ailments that included breathing difficulties, weeping eyes and
skin rashes, according to the newspaper.
Both Gap and Levi Strauss have ordered immediate investigations,
the paper reports.
Gap said it had put the factory on notice to improve, while Levi
Strauss said it was "disturbed" by the findings, said the
report.