No. of Recommendations: 6
'In 2009, American Apparel fired approximately 1,600 to 1,800 factory workers...
OK. Just checked. They weren't fined. They had other issues, as you quoted, but they weren't fined. Nobody went to jail, either, from what I can tell.
It still turned out badly for them, of course. But a certainty of fines may result in more compliance, rather than just hoping you don't get raided.
My point remains that we (i.e. the government) is going after the wrong end of the problem. Make it unprofitable/risky for employers.** As a side benefit, if business gets upset then real change might happen. Right now, they mostly aren't upset because they can exploit their workers, and at most have some of them caught and deported. With a few exceptions (like American Apparel), very low risk for the employers.
**Kinda/sorta similar to the drug problem. As long as there is demand in the US, there will be suppliers. Attacking the suppliers does nothing. You have to address the demand.
