Who are Fashion Victims? Read this and find out…..
Most of the clothes we pick up from the high street and luxury stores, are manufactured in Asia. Even most of the clothing labels that claim to be made in the UK, are actually manufactured in Asia. It could be a final piece added to the clothes, like a zip for example, that could warrant a ‘made in the UK’ label.
The whole idea behind manufacturing clothes in Asia factories, is to keep the costs as low as possible, and to achieve the highest profits possible. Bangladesh factories attract a lot of clothing companies, could be because of the $38 monthly wage, and the lack of adequate health and safety regulations.
Most of these factory workers are women like me, working extremely long hours, in overcrowded factories with substandard facilities for a very low wage. 95% of UK bloggers won’t accept $38 for a sponsored post, but yet these women and men, work very long and hard, for little compensation in return. I know $38 can do a lot more in Asia than in this part of the world, but still, it is too little, compared to the profits these clothing companies make on a yearly basis.
In the news, we keep reading about various preventable factory fires, killing thousands of these workers, and yet some of these factories are still operating in dangerous working conditions. The fashion companies are not doing enough to make sure the working conditions in the factories are safe, or are they turning a blind eye?
Well, someone needs to take responsibility for the voiceless fashion victims. For the women and people who have no choice but work in these factories to sustain themselves and their families. Someone needs to take responsibility, the fashion companies need to take responsibilities for their ’employees’. We as consumers, need to take responsibility for our purchases.
I try not to shop in stores, famous for using such factories, but some of us do not have a choice, because some of these stores sell their pieces dead cheap, and for those on a tight budget, they can’t be bothered with the whole politics of factory workers. It seems too far away for some of us to care, but I do care.
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think of the working conditions of these factory workers when you shop? I need to know. Drop me a comment, let’s chat.
Thanks for reading.
I agree with you and what I find astonishing is that some well known luxury fashion brands use low paid workers in Asia too (mentioning no names)
Yea I know. Its ridiculous really.
The treatment of factory workers absolutely matters to me, it’s something I feel strongly about. However sometimes I genuinely cannot afford to buy clothes from shops that don’t use these factories-I don’t mean I fancy a new dress, as I just wouldn’t buy one, I mean when my pair of jeans has a hole in so I need to replace. It is tricky.
Yea sometimes I can’t afford to cough out some much money for play clothes for the kids, so I go into ‘those’ shops. It is tricky.
Such a great post and very true and ridiculous. (Also your bag is gorgeous)
Georgie xo
http://thestyletransplant.wordpress.com
Thanks Georgie x
Were you inspired by my post by any chance haha! But seriously fantastic post and I agree fashion is so cheap and even expensive designers are unethical too!
No not really, lol..I am actually reading a book – Why Fashion Matters, and it explains everything in detail, but your post was great too.
Why Fashion Matters, eh? Will be sure to look out for it. Sounds like a great read.
PS. Ditto on your thoughts about the issue. It IS tricky.
Yea pls do. It is a fab book x
Very good post. I agree with you in total. It is really ridiculous how these factory workers are used for peanuts. But some people can’t be bothered they just want to buy cheap. Love your bag.
Yea so sad. It makes my blood boil sometimes. Thanks Osime x
Such a sad topic. You opened my eyes to the fact that a piece of clothing could receive the made in UK label even if most of it was actually made abroad. I had no idea!
http://lilinhaangel.com/
So sad Lilinha x
I think the same as you. Sometimes when we have a tight budget and cant afford clothing we don’t have a choice but to go to the cheapest stores despite where the items come from. I’ve been in this position and still am. Angela x
Quite sad isn’t? These brands will continue to get away with this.
I am not for one moment suggesting that it is right and OK for factory workers in Asian countries to be paid low wages and have to work in abysmal conditions but what happens if we all stop buying the clothes made in these countries, how would that help these people? I don’t know how we stop exploitation but I do know the solution to the problem isn’t easy.
Yea it isn’t. So frustrating isn’t it?
A thought provoking post, for sure. Most of my clothes are purchased second hand from charity shops so I know I am not directly contributing to this problem, but even so…. something needs to be done.
Yea..I wish I could do more.
It is awful what is happening to the workers who make our clothes. I don’t really buy new clothes anymore unless I absolutely have to and try to avoid places where they are known to employ in these conditions
It is horrible Rebecca.
I totally agree with you , there should be some law that protects these people ,, but did you know there are factories in East London that have such conditions too. My sisters neighbour used to work in one of these sweat shops and she was paid per no of garments she sewed and the money was ridiculous.
In East London? I didn’t know that. OMG.
Its so immoral of them but if we didnt buy they wouldn’t get anything at all
True that.
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