SLAVE TO FASHION Sweatshops and the Fashion Industry
Most of us have been aware for quite some time now that The fashion industry has been one of the biggest offenders when it comes to sweatshops and child labor. It's not confined to one particular facet of the industry either.
Unfortunately, the structure of the fashion industry fosters this economic structure and it's not always easy to tell who's responsible. A very brief run down on the garment industry... The swell of imports due to free trade has had a devastating effect on the once well-paid, unionized U.S. garment workers. The number of American garment workers has declined severely since the early 1970s, with the exception being among immigrant and undocumented workers in Los Angeles and New York in particular. Department of Labor surveys have found that over 90% of the sweatshops here, in the U.S. who employ these garment workers violate legal health and safety standards, and more than half are serious enough to be the cause of severe injuries or death. During the past two decades in the U.S. retailing has become increasingly concentrated. Today, the largest U.S. clothing retailers are Wal-Mart, Sears and Target, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the U.S. retail sales, eliminating competition and driving prices ever lower. Retailers squeeze manufacturers, who squeeze the contractors who make their products. By taking the production overseas, these items can be made for pennies on the dollar, with even fewer labor laws and restrictions. Here is a good example I've taken from "The American Prospect." "Since profits are taken out at each level of the supply chain, labor costs are reduced to a tiny fraction of the retail price. Consider the economics of a dress that is sewn in Los Angeles and retails for $100. Half goes to the department store and half to the manufacturer, who keeps $12.50 to cover expenses and profit, spends $22.50 on textiles, and pays $15 to the contractor. The contractor keeps $9 to cover expenses and profits. That leaves just $6 of the $100 retail price for the workers whoactually make the dress. And this is getting worse, not better. Even if the cost of direct production labor were to increase by half, the dress would still only cost $103—a small increment that would make a world of difference to the seamstress in Los Angeles, whose $7,000 to $8,000 in annual wages are roughly (one half) of the poverty level. A garment worker in Mexico would be lucky to earn $1,000 during a year of 48 to 60 hour workweeks; in China, $500."
The three companies I mentioned are not the only ones to profit from sweatshops. sweatshops Some other well known offenders are Nike, Victoria's Secret, Gap, Forever 21, Hollister, Abercrombie, Walmart, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Tommy H, Guess and Disney Store just to name a few. Sadly, it's much harder to name the ones that don't.
The solution? Again, it's very simple. Buy from Fair Trade sources. You have choices, use them wisely. Honestly, I buy fair trade and find many affordable, better quality and even sale items. Buy less. You don't really need 15 pairs of pumps because they're cheap do you? Today there are so many choices for chic, fashionable clothes that are Sweatshop free like Autonomie Project, created and run by young, stylish entrepreneurs and Gifts With Humanity who have beautiful accessories and gift. My own store, Crossing Borders Fair Trade carries jewelry and gifts that you can find in many high end, stylish boutiques in San Francisco and Los Angeles. No more excuses! It's time to start being a "FAIR TRADE FASHIONISTA!"
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