Article concerns head-on address to the story from Gap. Not sure this one instance is a 'one-off', but may stand as a reminder of how horribly expensive the cheap goodies that fill our high streets may be,

This is old news as far as "slave" and/or child labor for clothing sweat shops in 3rd world countries. This has been going on for a long time ... and my guess is that it will continue as long as there is a profit to be made in shameful and sometimes dangerous working conditions in other countries that do not have laws to protect these workers.

Either boycott the products or the manufacturers if you are hoping to make a difference. When you hit their bottom lines (profits) they listen ... but not before that!

Marcariel, yes child/slave labour is indeed sadly "old news". The suggestions you make are realistic, what some people do. I do think that when a specific item draws attention to what is going on it is worth clipping as a 'reminder' because unfortunately what is not in the headlines is soon forgotten. In the case of Gap, after consumer pressure and sustained consumer resistance, three years ago they announced an ethical policy which this episode clearly breaches, so it is in itself a new news item, but I do take your point fully

A TV documentary this week concluded that, because of the way the global cotton exchange works, almost everyone in the world is wearing garments that contain at least some 'unethical' cotton.