APS El Salvador

The WRC found violations of workers’ rights at the Salvadoran garment factory, APS El Salvador, which closed in August 2022 without paying its workers the approximately US$1.9 million they were owed in back wages, severance, and other legally mandated benefits. The WRC’s investigation resulted in $1.35 million secured from buyers to compensate the workers. Two other buyers, Specialized and Hanes, have so far refused to pay any meaningful amount. The WRC continues to press them to provide the remaining funds owed to the workers.

Read More:

• WRC Findings, Recommendations, and Buyer Response at APS El Salvador – March 15, 2024
• WRC Hallazgos, recomendaciones y respuesta del comprador – March 15, 2024

In the News:

• “Hanesbrands Named in WRC Report for Nonpayment of Worker Wages at Central American Factory,” Sourcing Journal – March 21, 2024
• “US brands urged to pay laid off workers,” Ecotextile News – March 22, 2024
• “Workers’ rights groups pursue Specialized for portion of $650K unpaid wages and benefits to factory workers,” Cyclingnews – March 30, 2024
• “Specialized being pursued for $659,000 owed to Salvadoran workers in unpaid wages, investigation reveals,” Cycling Weekly – April 1, 2024
• “Specialized Accused of Withholding Worker’s Wages,” Men’s Journal – April 3, 2024
• “The bike industry’s sustainability blind spot,” Escape Collective – April 10, 2024
• “Organizaciones piden exención de impuestos para fondos de ayuda a trabajadores despedidos de maquilas en El Salvador” El Urbano – May 16, 2024
• “Specialized says it donated $44,000 to unpaid factory workers. Did it?” Escape Collective – December 19, 2024