Gap has built a reputation that has been recognized for being one of the best-known fashion brands across the region. This reputation that has been established is now being interrupted due to Gapsubcontractors’ unethical methods to cut costs of production with the use of sweatshops and the exploitation of cheap child labor in countries such as Cambodia, Indonesia, Bangladesh.

One of Gap’s policies claim to stop the exploitation of child labor. However, it appears to be failing due to the lack of transparency between Gap subcontractors and the public. Regardless of Gap’s social responsible scheme, there is still an ethical issue on whether Gap should be partly responsible for their subcontractor’s actions.

On a side note, the subcontractors work under the company Gap and do carry a form of representation of the brand name. With respect to this, Gap should ethically take responsibility in terms of monitoring their methods of production to ensure child labor isn’t existent within their operations. Moreover, it is in Gap’s best interests to provide accurate transparency of their operations towards not only investors but also to consumers and employees, in order to meet its social responsibilities.

Citations

Lawrence, Felicity. “Sweatshop Campaigners Demand Gap Boycott.” The Guardian. 22 Nov. 2002. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2002/nov/22/clothes.globalisation>.

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