Spanish Harlem Sweatshop by Phil Decker

Street Scene outside Allison's Dress Manufacturing Company

in Spanish Harlem

 

Friends 

 

Piles of Work

Factory Sample

 Coffee Break

This photo essay of Allison's Dress Manufacturing Company was created in Spanish Harlem, the Puerto Rican neighborhood I lived in during 1984, while studying at the International Center of Photography in New York City.

Filing System

Calling Home

Supplies

To Do List

Discussion with the Boss

Making Her Point

 Union Rep and Owners Meeting

The sweatshop was located on the third floor of a warehouse, tucked into a residential neighborhood.  About fifteen employees worked sewing and ironing dresses.  The workers were mostly all immigrants from Puerto Rico.  It was amazed to see how little factory conditions had changed, despite decades of struggles for better working conditions.  In this photo essay I tried to portray individuals at work as well as the supportive community workers had created, to help each other get through the day.

 

 Chat

Taking a Break

Hidden Behind the Dresses

 Final Touches

Stairway Entrance to the Sweatshop

Text and photos © Phil Decker