Penn State University - The Daily Collegian by Micah Wintner - September 2, 2010
The minimum wage required by law in the Dominican Republic is $140 per month, but Knights Apparel pays its workers $500 per month.
Knights Apparel, which makes it a goal to pay its workers a living wage, has set up a factory in Villa Altagracia, a village in the Dominican Republic, Knights Apparel CEO Joe Bozich said in a teleconference.
"I think the thing that really makes Alta Gracia different is the wages and the benefits," Bozich said. "This can truly be a pathway out of poverty."
Apparel made in the factory is sold under the Alta Gracia brand, named after the town.
Knights Apparel is licensed to produce Penn State merchandise and the Alta Gracia brand is available in the Penn State Bookstore, Penn State Office of Licensing Programs official Robin Spicer wrote in an e-mail.
Penn State President Graham Spanier issued a statement in 2009 describing Knights Apparel's initiative to improve workers' rights as a "unique and special opportunity that combines good business practices with humanitarian outreach."
Penn State is committed to promoting the sales of Knights Apparel products, Spanier said in the statement. Read Full Story Here
