(Adds Gap statement.)
LONDON (AFP)--A factory that produces jeans for U.S. clothing
retailers Gap Inc. (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, the Sunday Times reports.
Both Gap and Levi Strauss have ordered immediate investigations,
it said.
Levi Strauss said it was "disturbed" by the findings, while Gap
said in a separate statement that it has put the factory on notice
to improve.
"As soon as we were alerted of these issues, we immediately
investigated the situation on the ground in Lesotho, commissioned
an independent monitoring organization to conduct its own
investigation, and placed one of the factories involved on
immediate notice until our investigation is complete," said Dan
Henkle, Gap's senior vice president of global responsibility.
"Our primary focus, however, continues to be on the workers and
their community," added Henkle in the statement.
"In keeping with our strong and transparent history on any
sourcing issues, we will continue to act swiftly, decisively and
thoughtfully in doing everything possible to protect the workers at
the factories that make our products and the communities in which
they live and work."