American Apparel US visa woes lead to 10% staff cuts
September 03 2009 by Rebekah Nahai
US visa controversy for American Apparel
In the same week its controversial advert is banned for partial nudity, California-based clothing company American Apparel has lost over ten percent of its workforce due to US immigration problems.
Some 1,600 staff members have been dismissed from the Los Angeles headquarters following failure to prove legal work status for the US. Some employees used fake work authorisation documents, while others had no supporting US visa evidence.
Dov Charney, the maverick chief executive heading American Apparel, says he is “deeply saddened” about laying off his staff. He said in a statement: "I just cry when I think that so many people will be leaving the company... It is my belief that immigrants bring prosperity to any economy."
American Apparel was ordered this week to withdraw an advert from UK shops and magazines based on its depiction of partial nudity of a girl who appeared to be under the age of 16.
The Advertising Standards Authority said: "Because the ad could be seen to sexualise a model who appeared to be a child, under the age of 16 years, we concluded that it was inappropriate and could cause serious offence to some readers.”
The case is one in a string of claims against the company which have resulted in court settlements or the revoking of ‘provocative’ advertisements.
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