In recent years, the fast fashion industry has come under intensified scrutiny due to its reliance on sweatshops and other exploitative labour practices. Sweatshops are factories where employees endure long hours, minimal pay, and hazardous working conditions. Sweatshops are especially prevalent in the rapid fashion industry, where labels prioritize speed and low prices over ethical and sustainable practices. This has led to human rights violations, environmental degradation, and a global race to the bottom regarding labour standards.
A documentary titled “the true cost” reveals a series of actual costs behind the glitzy fast fashion we see every day at HM, Zara, Gap, etc. These costs resemble an ecosystem at the bottom of the population, which is perpetually venomous.
The problem is that we’ve become acclimated to paying less and less for our clothing, leading to pervasive sweatshops and other forms of exploitation in the garment industry. (Siegle, 2011) To cut costs, manufacturers paid workers meagre salaries and even forced them to work in crumbling structures that collapsed, resulting in the deaths of over a thousand individuals. When they complained, they were confined up and beaten by management. Some brands have made advances to improve working conditions and increase the transparency of their supply chains since the Rana Plaza catastrophe. However, most fast fashion companies continue to use sweatshops and exploit workers. (Cline, 2013) This violates fundamental human rights. Moreover, “many garment labourers are young women who are especially susceptible to exploitation and maltreatment.” Rivoli (2015)
The repercussions of sweatshops are devastating. Sweatshop employees frequently work long hours in hazardous and unhygienic conditions, negatively affecting their physical and mental health. Moreover, Thomas (2019) states, “The clothing industry is the second-largest polluter in the world after oil, and it is built on a foundation of exploitation: of the planet, of people, of resources, and of creativity.” The production of large quantities of clothing and the use of inexpensive materials significantly impact the environment. In addition to contributing to pollution and environmental degradation, the toxic compounds used in clothing production also contribute to environmental contamination.
In addition to the workers exploited in sweatshops, the stakeholders in this change also include consumers who unknowingly support these corrupt practices through their purchases. In addition, stakeholders and executives of fast fashion brands are responsible for ensuring their companies operate ethically and sustainably. And the brand’s suppliers must be involved in the transition, as they must implement fair labour practises and provide secure and humane working conditions for their employees. NGOs and advocacy organizations concentrating on workers’ rights and sustainable manufacturing would also be involved in the transition. They would be crucial in monitoring the brand’s change away from sweatshops and holding it accountable for its commitment to fair labour practices.
I wish to implement the change for rapid fashion brands to abandon sweatshops in favour of ethical and sustainable production techniques. This transformation is possible and desirable, as some brands, such as H&M’s Conscious Collection and Zara’s eco-friendly line, have already taken strides in this direction. These initiatives demonstrate that it is possible to influence the fashion industry while maintaining profitability positively. By advocating ethical and sustainable practices, fast fashion brands can reduce exploitation and attract socially conscious customers.
By supporting ethical brands and advocating for improved labour practices in the fashion industry, we can also contribute to change. As consumers, we can educate ourselves on the effects of our decisions and make informed decisions. Additionally, we can support advocacy campaigns to end sweatshops and promote sustainability in the fashion industry.
Suppose we want fast fashion brands to stop using sweatshops. In that case, we must take a multifaceted approach that addresses the issue’s underlying causes and the steps that can be taken to create a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry. This could include regulations, consumer pressure, corporate responsibility, support for sustainable fashion brands, promotion of circular fashion, and consumer education. By working together, we can create a fashion industry that respects human rights, protects the environment, and promotes sustainable and ethical practices.
Reference
Cline, E.L. (2013). Overdressed: The shockingly high cost of cheap fashion. New York, Ny Portfolio/Penguin.
Rivoli, P. (2015). The travels of a t-shirt in the global economy : an economist examines the markets, power, and politics of world trade. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.
Thomas, D. (2019). Fashionopolis : The Price of Fast Fashion–And the Future of Clothes. Penguin Publishing Group.
Siegle, L. (2011). To die for: is fashion wearing out the world ? London: Fourth Estate.
Morgan, A. (2015). The True Cost. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsG64621Tuw.