Sweatshop Wages at Rembrandt Suits

December 5, 2008

Media Release from the National Distribution Union

Workers at Wellington’s Rembrandt Suits are beginning a series of pickets outside retail outlets selling the expensive suits they make.

The first will be held at Kirkcaldie and Stains on Lambton Quay at 11am tomorrow.

National Distribution Union organiser Annabel Snow says the workers are paid the minimum wage of $12 an hour for manufacturing suits that sell from $900 each.

“When we asked Rembrandt to increase pay to a realistic level they offered us 24 cents an hour,” she says.

“Most of these workers rely on government subsidies to survive despite working full time.

“The workers have decided to give customers the opportunity to contrast the high price of the suits they are purchasing with the sweatshop wages paid to the workers making them.”

ENDS

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