The first method is the whole-garment method, in which the factory owner and other family members are in charge of all production procedures, including overall management, negotiation with manufacturers, sample providing, and bookkeeping. Since the family performs most of the work, they have total control in their own firms. The second method is the section method. Supervisory personnel, usually outsiders while relatives are more preferable to ensure quality control, is hired to manage the production lines. Cottage industry is the third one.
Seamstresses assemble the clothing at home and they are paid by piece.
This practice benefits both the employers and the employees, although it is against the union rules. The Employment Family members, including kinsmen, are important elements in these family-run firms, because they usually take charge of the operation of the firms and supervise the production line. Definitely, the family members cannot perform all the production work in the factories, although they sometimes operate the machines when there is a shortage of workers. They have to hire some people to work on the production line such as sewing, buttonhole making, stream pressing, and hanging and bagging. Failure to do so will not only cause the workers to leave, but also impair the employer s reputation within the Chinese community.