The nature of the industry is such as to favour the development of "sweat shop" working conditions in which unprotected workers (illegal immigrants, moonlighters, minors) are employed at very low wages, usually for very long hours, and under the constant threat of losing a job which may be their only possible source of income. The extent of such practices has been limited in industrialized countries although they continue, especially as a characteristic of any underground economy. Such practices are widespread in developing countries.
A leading clothing company agreed, in 1995, to independent monitoring of its suppliers' factories after it was discovered that teenagers in El Salvador were working an 18-hour day for 28 pence an hour.