Following the Thread of Where Your Clothes Are Made Overseas
Nov
24
It’s estimated that around half of clothes sold in the UK are imported from overseas from countries such as Bangladesh, China, Fiji, India, Pakistan, Madagascar, Mexico, and Turkey. Some of these items are made by people who are poorly paid and working in poor conditions. Some are made with the help of child labour. These practices keep the manufacturing prices down and makes the clothes cheaper in UK shops.
Buying something made in the UK is no guarantee that the people who made it have been treated well and within the laws of this country. There are sweatshops in various towns and cities where people work in poor conditions and don’t get paid the minimum wage. Many don’t complain because they fear they’ll lose their jobs and whatever income they do have, or because they don’t have the right paperwork to allow them to stay and work in the UK.
By using lower-paid workers in other countries or using sweatshop labour in the UK, companies can keep the prices of their goods down and still make a profit. Their overhead costs are low compared to companies that use factory labour on reasonable wages. That makes it difficult for more responsible manufacturers to compete, so they close or they too move their manufacturing process abroad. All that means fewer employment opportunities in the textile industry at home.
Exploited workers face dehumanising conditions, including the following:
- No legal protection: Some workers aren’t recognised as workers and, in some countries, the factories they work in are not recognised as workplaces. Workers therefore have no right to complain about their lot and the workplaces operate in an unhealthy and unsafe environment.
- No trade union: This can be a result of the worker not being officially recognised or the wages being so low that they cannot afford the union fee.
- Low wages: Worker pay is extremely low, making it difficult or impossible for workers to support themselves and their families.
Workers have no access to the opportunities available within the wider community because of their lack of status, low wages, and long hours.
Organisations that campaign against textile and clothing companies setting up in the developing countries say that you should ask the retailers about how their clothes were manufactured before you buy.
You could argue that the cheaper clothes and shoes are, the more shoppers buy, and the more jobs there are available for people overseas who wouldn’t have those jobs otherwise. Boycotting certain brands can put that firm out of business and leave workers without a source of income. Many charities working in developing countries advise you not to boycott goods unless the workers themselves want a boycott.
Some organisations are working with suppliers and producers overseas to make sure that they get as fair a deal as possible:
- Producers and workers are allowed to join unions and other organisations that can protect their rights and ensure that they have fair working conditions.
- Workers have fair wages and conditions and can afford to feed their families.
- Child labour isn’t used.
- Production methods are environmentally friendly and pesticide free.
There is a similar fair-trade scheme for food producers — run by the Fairtrade Foundation. Fairtrade products carry the Fairtrade logo and apart from food the logo can be awarded to Fairtrade cotton, with which many fairly traded clothes will be made.
Some global companies and charities that sell clothes are also registered by the International Fair Trade Association (IFTA).
In effect, every Girl's Clothing and Apparel Distributor, Natural Skin Care Products, Women's Clothing and Apparel Manufacturer, Wholesale Detergent Suppliers, Light Purple Tank Dresses Wholesale, Pink Dresses Sust Clothing Online Shop, Women's Dresses Wholesale, Acne Skin Treatment, Unisex Adult's Clothing and Apparel, Disco Dress Sust Clothing Special and Boy's Clothing and Apparel Supplier wholesaling dropship products is basically understood to mean by supplying web drop shipping products in advance of payment.
Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
Following the Thread of Where Your Clothes Are Made Overseas
- Dressing Greener
- Shopping for Green Clothing, Yearning for Vintage Clothes
- Wearing green materials
- knowing that natural doesn't necessarily mean green
- Ten Green Ideas to try
- Green Home Themes, Economical life
- Link Exchange
- Green Shopping, Eating Vegetables
- What your food come from? continued
- Green Shopping, buying Green Food
November 26th, 2008 at 3:53 am
Making of 100% organic cotton, this slim-fitting tee has a detailed print that s worth a second look. … Fitting Tee
November 26th, 2008 at 6:09 am
Roberto, who is a close friend of Victoria Beckham, expected tour and tried to make the clothes reflect the Baby, Sporty, Ginger, Scary and Posh images that were created for the girl’s years ago. … Discount Baby Clothes Today
November 26th, 2008 at 7:51 am
Foodies, sweats, jumpers and track tops by hip hop clothing labels such as Academics, Roca Wear, Shady Ltd, Unit, Projects NYC and more. … Hip Hop Clothing
January 3rd, 2009 at 10:21 am
iceohbnafunbzfkpwell, hi admin adn people nice forum indeed. how’s life? hope it’s introduce branch
January 21st, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Nothing seems to be easier than seeing someone whom you can help but not helping.
I suggest we start giving it a try. Give love to the ones that need it.
God will appreciate it.
February 3rd, 2009 at 8:38 am
American Apparel clothing is made in downtown L.A., California USA and has a good reputation. They also have a sustainable line made from organic cotton.
Thanks for caring about social and environmental issues!
July 20th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I read Shakespeare and the Bible, and I can shoot dice. That’s what I call a liberal education.
July 20th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
To ensure a great fit, high quality fabric, and marvellous design, you have to pay at the very least $400 for a complete ensemble right NO That might be true if you are shopping around boutiques looking for plus size clothing. … King Clothing
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:18 pm
If you wish success in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother and hope your guardian genius.