1911 Triangle Waist Factory Fire What exactly is a sweatshop? Have they ever existed and if so, do they still exist in today’s society? According to Dictionary.com a sweatshop is “a shop employing workers at low wages, for long hours, and under poor conditions.” Factories in which the definition mentions, do, in fact exist. These factories can be traced back to the 19th century. One in particular, was called the Triangle Waist Company in New York City. The ending result of what happened to the factory was considered “the worst disasters since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.” (Introduction) Back in 1911, the Triangle Waist Factory began in the Asch Building, which was owned by Max Blanc and Isaac Harris. The factory employed nearly 500 workers, which were mainly young, women immigrant workers. Workers were of Italian and European Jewish descent and were as young as 14 years old. Reportedly, the workers were made to work for low wages, excessively long hours, and in unsanitary and dangerous work conditions. The doors of the factory was even said to have been locked, for fear that workers would steal. Saturday, March 25, 1911, a fire blazed on the top floors of the Asch Building. Because of locked doors, it made it hard for workers to escape, and some workers even resorted to jumping from the ninth floor, in order to say their life, many were unsuccessful. The end result of the fire caused 146 workers to have their lives ended in death. In today’s society, the sweatshop “wave” is still in effect, whether it is in the United States or overseas. The United States Department of Labor found 67% of Los Angeles garment factories and 63% of New York garment factories in violation of minimum wage and overtime laws. (Sweatshopts & Strikes Before 1911)
According to a National Labor Committee 2006 report, 200 children, 11 years old and even younger, were