Leicester has faced persistent allegations of serving as a hub for 'dark factories' supplying major fast-fashion brands, where workers are reportedly paid significantly below minimum wage in unsafe conditions. Some campaigners call for a strict licensing scheme that would effectively ban non-compliant factories from trading. Critics warn this 'shock therapy' could decimate the city's manufacturing base, which relies on speed and low margins to compete with overseas markets. Proponents argue that strict enforcement is a moral necessity to eradicate exploitation and level the playing field for honest businesses. Opponents argue that heavy-handed regulation will simply destroy an entire industry and leave thousands of low-skilled workers unemployed.
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