Sweatshop labour

Extraterritorial sweatshop factories
Maquiladoras
Sweatshops
Maquila ships
Sweatshop factory ships
Maquilas

Nature

The word "maquila" comes from the Spanish verb "maquilar" which means to assemble. "Maquila ships" are extraterritorial factories, where workers live and work without breaks in the day for long periods. These types of activities are bordering on "new forms of slavery" and constitute flagrant violations of workers, rights and individual human rights.

Incidence

Sweatshop labour remains widespread, particularly in the garment, electronics, and footwear industries. According to the International Labour Organization, in 2021 over 160 million children were engaged in child labour, many in hazardous conditions, and millions of adults work in factories with excessive hours, low pay, and unsafe environments, especially in countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and India. Reports from organizations like Clean Clothes Campaign highlight persistent violations in global supply chains supplying major Western brands.
In 2013, the Rana Plaza building collapse in Dhaka, Bangladesh, killed over 1,100 garment workers and injured thousands more. The factories inside produced clothing for international retailers under sweatshop conditions, drawing global attention to unsafe and exploitative labour practices.