British Supermodel's Perfume Reeks of Sweatshop

The celebrity-endorsed perfume industry started emitting a foul odor this week, when it was uncovered that perfume hocked by British supermodel Katie Price, a.k.a. Jordan, was made in an Indian sweatshop. Also using the factory where thousands of Indian workers were exploited is 2010 World Cup sponsor Umbro, owned by Nike. And who is taking responsibility for the stench of sweatshop labor coming from these perfumes? Absolutely no one.

The factory that made the glass bottles for Price's and Umbro's perfume and cologne was run by a firm called Pragati Glass. The over 7000 workers at the Pragati factory were being paid poverty-level wages for their work, well below what it would cost to buy basic food supplies for a single person in India. And these were not unskilled workers. Glass work is categorized as a unique craft, for which workers should be making above minimum wage, given the specific challenges of their job. And while the Indian workers were receiving poverty-level wages, the perfume was selling for upwards of $30 a bottle. That's nothing new for the world of celebrity-endorsed fragrances, which average a 95% profit margin.

So who is taking responsibility for the exploitation of thousands of Indian workers? Pragati Glass, who managed the sweatshop, has denied any wrongdoing, but refuses to comment further. Price's people say that the ethical production of her perfume is very important to her, and they'll investigate these charges. But, of course, she didn't know and this isn't her fault. Umbro, which is owned by Nike, claims they never even knew their perfume was being made in a Pragati factory, but that they are severing all ties with the company. And it's not their fault either. The only conclusion left is that 7000 Indian workers somehow trapped themselves in a sweatshop, exploited themselves, and profited handsomely from their own abuse. Right ...

Here's my take on who needs to (wo)man up and take responsibility for the exploitation of these workers. Pragati Glass broke the law, underpaid workers, and knowingly did so. Duh. They owe the workers compensation. But Price's company and Umbro/Nike also had a role. At best, they were extremely negligent in checking out their supply chain. Umbro didn't even know who their suppliers were, which should be totally unacceptable. Even if they didn't know what was happening at the Indian factory, they had a responsibility to do some serious due diligence. And they failed to do that.

Companies need to start owning up to the labor abuses and exploitation that happen on their watch and offer to make it right. In the end, admitting and fixing your mistakes will get you a more loyal customer base then constantly passing the blame. Because failing to take responsibility for your actions really stinks.

Photo credit: mickeymox