Western Companies destroying Lesotho.

Gap factory dumping chemical waste
Sapa-AFP	Published:Aug 02, 2009
Article Tools Print E-Mail Save and Share A factory that produces jeans for US clothing retailers Gap and Levi Strauss is illegally dumping chemical waste in Lesotho, posing a major hazard to children. Sunday Times reported that it had discovered that the plant, operated by Taiwanese firm Nien Hsing, was pouring dark blue effluent into a river used for cooking and bathing. The paper also alleged that the firm was dumping needles, razors and harmful chemicals at two municipal dumps that attract young children who search for pieces of clothing to sell. Many of the children worked up to 10 hours per day and complained of ailments that included breathing difficulties, weeping eyes and skin rashes, The Sunday Times. Both Gap and Levi Strauss have ordered immediate investigations, the paper reported. Gap said it had put the factory on notice to improve, while Levi Strauss said it was "disturbed" by the findings, said the report.