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Valentino Bags Lab Placed Under Judicial Administration Over Forced Labor Violations

The Milan Tribunal acted after uncovering exploitative conditions in subcontracted Chinese workshops, marking the latest development in a broader crackdown on labor abuses in the fashion industry.

Overview

  • The Milan Tribunal has appointed a judicial administrator for Valentino Bags Lab, a subsidiary of Valentino spa, to address labor abuses in its subcontracted production chain.
  • Investigators identified seven clandestine Chinese workshops employing 76 workers, including nine undocumented and under illegal employment terms.
  • Workers faced exploitative conditions, including sub-minimum wages, unsafe environments, excessive hours, and inadequate living arrangements in unauthorized dormitories.
  • Authorities imposed €286,000 in fines and €35,000 in administrative sanctions, while criminal complaints were filed against workshop operators for forced labor practices.
  • This measure is part of a wider Milan prosecutor’s investigation targeting labor exploitation in the fashion industry, which has also involved brands like Dior, Armani, and Martini.