John Oliver spent Sunday’s edition of “Last Week: Tonight” reminding his audience that sweatshops are not something that only ’90s kids will remember.
The host reminded viewers that brands like H&M, Zara and the Gap are still producing their products at low prices by making use of cheap labor abroad, continually finding themselves in trouble over labor laws and outright abuse.
“As great as all these stylish cheap clothes are, at a certain point it’s hard not to look at those prices and ask, how does any clothing company make money?” he asked.
“Although let’s be honest — you know the answer to that,” he said.
Oliver confirmed that U.S. outlets produced the bulk of their products overseas. He ran through the history of outrage and protests in the 1990s over Gap, Nike, and Kathy Lee Griffin’s own clothing line.
Considering that unsavory practices still go on, Oliver decided to try and rename some brands appropriately.
“American Eagle should really become Bangladeshi Swamphen,” he suggested. “And Banana Republic should really become – actually, that one is fine.”
The host proceeded to expose the continued labor violations.
“I guess at this point it seems that sweatshops aren’t one of those ’90s problems we got rid off, like Donnie Wahlberg — they’re more like one of those ’90s problems we’re still dealing with, like Mark Wahlberg.”
Watch the clip, courtesy of HBO:
I really hope he is having an impact. He’s that voice inside that says what you are doing is wrong and makes you feel guilty.
Its cheaper to buy new stuff than it is to wash em. Tube sox anyone!!!
Old tube sox are great for cleaning, especially furniture polish, but that would be after they are laundered, and I suspect you aren’t polishing much furniture anyway.
Katie Lee Gifford and Kathy Griffin are not one and the same.