China inc, stick in the mud or future innovator ?

[Crocodile]

A little off topic, but over the weekend I watched a program on the Australia Network called Foreign Correspondent. They had a story on a migrant worker in a jeans factory (I assume in Guangdong somewhere). The working and living conditions were very poor and they were making jeans for a European business. It was a repeat, as I had seen it previously, but can't find a link to the actual show.

Here is another story from the same program, also about the challenges that migrant workers have in China. It first aired in March, but has some interesting insights into how the current financial crisis is effecting manufacturing in China.
China - The Big Smoke - Foreign Correspondent - ABC

[TS888]

In over 20 years in the apparel and footwear supply chain, I've spent extensive time in assembly and materials factories in the US, Canada, Mexico and Central America, South America, Africa, Korea, Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and all over China. I've set up manufacturing programs, quality control, logistics, packaging, and health, safety, employment and environmental standards for many foreign manufacturers, and moved finished goods into every region of the world.

Just making the point, I don't have to Google my information on garment manufacturing. It's first hand knowledge, needed to do my job and keep my brands off the radar of customs officials and NGO's all over the world.

[Boris]

@TS888 - nice to see a fellow traveler. Good CV !!