Italy's Shadow Economy (people, work, expensive, live)

[Cida]

This surprised me - for Italy.


Inside Italy’s Shadow Economy
Within a distressed labor market, thousands of low-paid home workers create luxury garments without contracts or insurance
By Elizabeth Paton and Milena Lazazzera

Home work — working from home or a small workshop as opposed to in a factory — is a cornerstone of the fast-fashion supply chain. It is particularly prevalent in countries such as India, Bangladesh, Vietnam and China, where millions of low-paid and predominantly female home workers are some of the most unprotected in the industry, because of their irregular employment status, isolation and lack of legal recourse.

That similar conditions exist in Italy, however, and facilitate the production of some of the most expensive wardrobe items money can buy, may shock those who see the “Made in Italy” label as a byword for sophisticated craftsmanship.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/20/f...w-economy.html

[bale002]

Originally Posted by Cida

This surprised me - for Italy.


Inside Italy’s Shadow Economy
Within a distressed labor market, thousands of low-paid home workers create luxury garments without contracts or insurance
By Elizabeth Paton and Milena Lazazzera

Home work — working from home or a small workshop as opposed to in a factory — is a cornerstone of the fast-fashion supply chain. It is particularly prevalent in countries such as India, Bangladesh, Vietnam and China, where millions of low-paid and predominantly female home workers are some of the most unprotected in the industry, because of their irregular employment status, isolation and lack of legal recourse.

That similar conditions exist in Italy, however, and facilitate the production of some of the most expensive wardrobe items money can buy, may shock those who see the “Made in Italy” label as a byword for sophisticated craftsmanship.

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/20/f...w-economy.html

"We are from the government (better yet, the union), and we are here to help you."

Yeah, right, niente, grazie.

Many of them are retired, Mr. Fiorella said, or want the flexibility of part-time work to care for family members or want to supplement their income, and are fearful of losing the additional money.

Not that she really minded. She would be devastated to lose this additional income, she said, and the work allowed her to spend time with her children.

In recent years, some luxury companies have started to bring production back to Puglia ...,

People the world over have become SICK TO DEATH of globalization, and now the pendulum seems to be swinging the other way. Some relief at last. It may be short lived, but better than nothing.

In bocca al lupo!

[forgotten username]

who knew