IMMIGRANT LABOR AND THE CLOTHING INDUSTRY - BEYOND CULTURE AND CAPITAL

This historical description of immigrants working conditions in the Fr ench and American clothing industries points out that such jobs were p rimarily for unskilled women workers who, once hired, were shown what to do. Such jobs were, consequently, quite accessible for immigrant wo rkers. Labor unions were unable to regulate employment in this branch. Rapid personnel turnover was a factor in favor of businessmen, themse lves exposed to brutal competition.