Exploitation: Are Sweatshops Still Propping Up Fast Fashion?

The US Department of Labor defines a “sweatshop” as a factory that violates two or more labor laws.

Do you remember the 2013 collapse of the five garment factories in Dhaka, Bangladesh? Do you recall how many people lost their lives in the rubble because the factory owners wouldn’t let them leave even though they knew the structure was unsafe? 

Workers went to work so they wouldn’t lose their already meager wages, it took 90 seconds for the illegal structure to collapse and days to find all the bodies.

It was 1,134 souls that lost their lives that day due to the indifference of the fashion giants who just wanted to pay less for clothes so they could sell them for more. Oh, the factory managers/owners were also to blame. They cannot escape their despicable behavior, but they too were victims of a system determined far away and were caught firmly in its trap.

And it breaks our hearts that it was entirely preventable if someone, anyone, had just said no, we are not doing this.

So how has the system changed since then? There was much wailing and gnashing of teeth in the western world, that this shouldn’t have happened, vowing things will change. Thoughts and prayers were sent as they routinely are to any international disaster. 

But we want to know if it was just noise or if things really have changed for the workers in fashion sweatshops around the world.

What You Need To Know

We have looked for statistics that reflect the conditions for garment workers in 2021. The idea is to see if there really was change made or simply a lot of noise. When the din died down, did the workers end up with better or even different conditions? Let’s have a look at what we found:

• In Bangladesh, garment workers only earn only 50% of the living wage. 
• Factory managers require workers in many developing countries to work 16-hour shifts, contravening the International Labor Organization rules.
• Sweatshops worldwide trap women and girls in a cycle of poverty – STILL!

We looked around and couldn’t find a lot of recent quotable stats, but all indications seem to show that not a lot has changed in the fashion industry, and we have a long way to go.

Many workers are still functioning under unsanitary conditions, earning meager wages, and working long hours for not even a living wage – and yes, even in countries like the US!

How You Can Help Reduce Exploitation

We hate to harp, but the primary things you can do to improve the fashion industry are the same four actions that we have already encouraged you to do if you want to make a difference. And for those that don’t think using your buying power for change works, read this excellent article on how it does.

• Buying Power: Demonstrate your commitment to reducing clothing industry waste by only buying from responsible brands, retailers, and outlets.

• Zero Waste: Preloved clothing is a zero waste solution, and regardless of your geographical location, there is bound to be a secondhand clothing store in your vicinity. And, given that people donate on average after wearing a garment seven times, you will find some amazing options.

• Upcycle Fashion: Repair and reuse clothing showing signs of wear. Or transform it into a new garment with the help of your imagination.

• Recycle: As more companies are becoming aware of the waste in the fashion industry, they are creating recycling programs that you can participate in.

Take Action

Are you motivated to improve the lives of people around the world? There are lots of organizations that are working on this. Here are a few that we have found, and we encourage you to explore further to find others.

• Check with Panaprium or Fashion Checker if a company is ethical before buying from them. 
• SweatFree Communities Campaign supports sweatshop workers globally in their struggles to improve working conditions and achieve respect at work.
• Bad Activist The Bad Activist Collective is a space dedicated to connecting activists, justice seekers, and change-makers from all around the globe to combat systems of oppression and fight for a better future for people & the planet.

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Do you want to know more? Do you want to join a network of change-makers dedicated to halting climate change and creating a socially and financially equitable world? Contact us and get started. Everyone is capable of making a difference.