Garment production can be an extremely hazardous and emotionally draining job for workers, who must adapt quickly to rapidly shifting trends while meeting customer demand for clothing quickly enough to remain employable. Unfortunately, they often go underpaid and work long hours. Furthermore, garment workers frequently experience life-threatening health conditions and factory accidents are a constant risk; sexual harassment and violence against garment workers is common as well. With 1134 deaths at Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh being highlighted and starting conversations about changing its system – this was made even clearer following its collapse that killed 1134 workers as this opened up dialogue on these working conditions in this industry and provoked dialogue on need for change from both workers and employers.
Fast fashion’s fast production model necessitates that quality be sacrificed in order to offer clothes at competitive prices, yet many styles only last several wears before ending up in landfills as waste of materials, money and environment. Thus creating a cycle of overproduction, poor quality and competition.
As a consumer, you can play an essential role in breaking this cycle by purchasing second-hand clothing or only supporting sustainable brands that disclose their production process. Vote with your dollar by opting out of supporting companies who do not pay their garment workers a fair wage in favour of supporting brands who do.
Fast fashion manufacturers typically outsource production to factories that produce for multiple brands and e-tailers. While this allows e-tailers to avoid responsibility for any wrongdoing that might occur from outsourcing production to large factories, it’s still important to know exactly where your dollars go and their impact.
Fast fashion brands use low-wage laborers and inexpensive fabric materials to reduce costs and manufacture clothes quickly and at low costs. From concept to sale can often take just three days; production schedules may even change based on consumer response – one reason some fast fashion retailers like Shein are so successful.
Garment workers employed in factories are often forced to work long hours under intense deadline pressures that can cause stress and lead to burnout. Furthermore, garment workers in these factories are frequently underpaid – which leaves them struggling to provide for themselves and their families – with few opportunities available for overtime work, leading them down a path that often ends in financial ruin or family strife.
One of the best ways we can assist garment workers is to demand a fairer system. This requires shifting power dynamics between brands and manufacturers as well as commitments to pay a living wage. Furthermore, transparency must be demanded across the supply chain–from how much each brand spends with each supplier to their production processes as well as whether garment workers receive living wages or not.
Good news is there are signs of hope: garment makers are beginning to adopt better practices, and some retailers have increased transparency. These are all steps in the right direction, yet we need to voice our concerns more forcefully and vote with our dollars; now is the time for sustainable and ethical production methods to end exploitation of garment workers!
