As expected, American Apparel has let go roughly 1,500 immigrant employees in the past month after an investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency brought to light their lack of legal working status.
Originally, the 1,800 workers were considered ineligible to work in the U.S., but roughly 300 have since produced paperwork that could permit them to retain their jobs.
While these 1,500 people represent 10% of American Apparel’s total work force, they make up a whopping 27% of the brand’s factory workers.
CEO Dov Charney said in a letter to employees:
“I am deeply saddened by the fact that many of you will be leaving the company over the next few days and weeks├óΓé¼┬ª.I want you all to know that when you are able to get your immigration papers in order, you will be given priority treatment, in terms of being interviewed for future positions with the company├óΓé¼┬ª.I will continue to fight for immigration reform for the rest of my career.├óΓé¼┬¥
American Apparel expects to be relatively unharmed by the tremendous loss of workers due, but they might hire a few hundred people to replace the lost laborers.
The brand has long been known for their strong stance on immigration reform which makes this situation particularly noteworthy.
Bummer!
P.S. We went to American Apparel this past weekend for the first time in year.
NOT cheap!
[Image via AP Images.]
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