In the summer of 2015, Patagonia made an unusual announcement: the crunchy outerwear brand, known for its commitment to ethical and environmentally responsible production, had found multiple instances of labour exploitation at its suppliers in Taiwan — an important sourcing hub for the technical fabrics and materials used in the brand’s gear.
The company had uncovered a systemic issue. Labour shortages mean factories in Taiwan rely heavily on migrant labour, routinely outsourcing…

