London/Rome CNN —Italy’s competition authority is investigating whether Armani and Dior have misled consumers about their production processes, following reports that local companies in their supply chains pay workers too little and force them to work long hours. The firms are being investigated for possible “unlawful” conduct in the marketing and sale of clothes and accessories, in violation of Italy’s Consumer Code, it noted. Many mainstream fashion brands have long faced allegations of exploitative working conditions in their supply chains. The probe comes after Milan prosecutors accused several Chinese-owned firms in Italy, producing luxury goods for Dior and Armani, of systematically abusing their employees, Reuters reported. Armani has denied the allegations levied by the competition authority, but said it would cooperate with the latest investigation.

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Persons: Rome CNN —, Armani, Dior, Dior “, “ Organizations: Rome CNN, Armani Group, Dior Group, ”, Dior, Reuters, CNN Locations: Rome, Europe, Milan, Italy