WORKING CONDITIONS &

OVERSEAS PRODUCTION IMPACT

The fashion industry employs millions of workers worldwide. Garment production is outsourced by brands to supplier firms in developing countries. These firms move production within and between these countries to find the cheapest labor possible and subcontract it to manufacturing companies that are not officially affiliated with the brands. As these brands carry no legal obligation to ensure safe working conditions and most often do not disclose information regarding their supply chains, they repeatedly get away without accountability.

Some of the worst labor abuse occurs as a result of outsourcing and subcontracting. Due to the current fashion formula, production targets are way too demanding and costs are kept extremely low. Thus, workers face detrimental working conditions on a daily basis to try to achieve these outrageous requirements. Factory owners and managers force them to work overtime with little or no pay or otherwise risk termination. They prohibit them from forming or joining unions, turn a blind eye towards sexual harassment and abuse, and repeatedly fire pregnant workers or deny them maternity leave.

 

Millions of children are also currently working at garment factories in these developing countries. Children as young as 12 years old. They are forced to abandon their education and are employed to help provide for their families living in poverty. They too become a part of this unethical cycle.

Overseas sourcing and production also contribute negatively. Shipping raw materials and garments through airfreight and cargo ships accounts for air pollution, water pollution, and oil spills.

Government apathy and reluctance to regulate continues to result in no action to address the human rights concerns and environmental impacts of the clothing and textile industry. As a result, countless brands continue to operate without any transparency and their supply chain practices are responsible for the most alarmingly exploitative conditions for these vulnerable families around the world.

WORKING CONDITIONS & OVERSEAS PRODUCTION IMPACT

The fashion industry employs millions of workers worldwide. Garment production is outsourced by brands to supplier firms in developing countries. These firms move production within and between these countries to find the cheapest labor possible and subcontract it to manufacturing companies that are not officially affiliated with the brands. As these brands carry no legal obligation to ensure safe working conditions and most often do not disclose information regarding their supply chains, they repeatedly get away without accountability.

Some of the worst labor abuse occurs as a result of outsourcing and subcontracting. Due to the current fashion formula, production targets are way too demanding and costs are kept extremely low. Thus, workers face detrimental working conditions on a daily basis to try to achieve these outrageous requirements. Factory owners and managers force them to work overtime with little or no pay or otherwise risk termination. They prohibit them from forming or joining unions, turn a blind eye towards sexual harassment and abuse, and repeatedly fire pregnant workers or deny them maternity leave.

Millions of children are also currently working at garment factories in these developing countries. Children as young as 12 years old. They are forced to abandon their education and are employed to help provide for their families living in poverty. They too become a part of this unethical cycle.

Overseas sourcing and production also contribute negatively. Shipping raw materials and garments through airfreight and cargo ships accounts for air pollution, water pollution, and oil spills.

Government apathy and reluctance to regulate continues to result in no action to address the human rights concerns and environmental impacts of the clothing and textile industry. As a result, countless brands continue to operate without any transparency and their supply chain practices are responsible for the most alarmingly exploitative conditions for these vulnerable families around the world.