Human Rights and Fashion

It is important to recognize that human rights and sustainability are interconnected. In a globalized economy, it has become very tempting for big corporations to seek cheap labor in third-world countries. This applies in particular to the fashion industry, and many companies such as H&M, Nike and have been scrutinized for using cheap labor abroad. Workers in these outsourced countries tend not to have the same type of labor rights. Workers in the United States do not have the constant threat that those who make their clothes have.

The textile industry

This industry is crucial for the fashion industry since one needs material to make clothes. The Textile industry is also one of the largest polluters in the world. The World Bank estimates that almost 20% of global industrial water pollution comes from the treatment and dying of textiles. Dying textiles can also have some adverse health side effects such as Consistent vomiting, tremors, Lack of coordination, Loss of Consciousness, headaches, Respiratory diseases, Concentration disorientation, malnutrition, fatigue, Extreme depression and palpitation, Cancer, and Death. Many workers do not have access to the health care needed and tend to need the money. Workers can not leave work out of fear of losing their job to someone who is available. In third world countries; you are replaceable. There is always someone willing to take your place to work. In the United States, Obama created the controversial Obama care to help secure those with less income a chance of having affordable health care. In third world countries, governments may be too corrupt to deal with these issues.

Children 

Companies are are they employing anyone and everyone capable of working in a factory, including children.  People in first world countries would not allow their children to work in these conditions. 

• According to the International Labour Organisation, an estimated 170 million children are engaged in child labour, or 11% of the global population of children. (stop child labour)
• 73 million of them work with some form of hazardous material (stop child labour)
• When using children as labor, it is not helping combat the poverty cycle since by taking kids out of school which strips children of any educational and future occupational opportunities.
• When children are educated
• They learn how to prevent illness and improve the overall health
• They are able to understand and advocate for basic rights
• They can manage personal relationships
• They can help build and maintain infrastructure

Outsourcing and pay 

Manufacturers who outsource jobs to foreign companies or their associates in Malaysia, Nairobi, China, India, Guatemala or other countries do this so that they do not have to spend a lot of money to pay workers. This means that the workers do not make what would be considered a "livable wage" to workers since that means more profit for them. These workers are also working longer hours than the usual American 9am-5pm job. Around the world, the average daily wage is less than $2 a day. Most live on less than $1.25 per day. This is still a reality of life for "13% of people in China; 47.5% in Sub-Saharan Africa; 36% in South Asia; 14% in East Asia and the Pacific; 6.5% in Latin America and the Caribbean. Almost 1.3bn people in total" according to a BBC article called Dollar Benchmark: The Rise of the $1-a-day Statistics. In The United States, it is nearly impossible to live on this dollar amount but it does have some form of the welfare system for their citizens that other countries do not have. 

Many workers do not have Suitable conditions in the environment/workplace

• They tend to get constantly yelled at by their superiors and are beaten by the security guards for leaving the factory without permissions to take breaks.
• In some factories, there are no emergency exits. 
• In 2012, 112 workers were killed in fire at Bangladesh garment factory since there were no emergency exits. 
• Sexism also occurs when applying for work. 
• Women are asked if they are married, going out with a man and planning to have children in the future.
• Sometimes women must sign a legally bound contractual agreement not to get pregnant as long as she works at the factory. 
• This brings up the idea of what is legal vs. what is ethical. 
• Women are also more likely to be physically harassed than their male colleagues. 

You can make a difference

• boycotting companies who you feel have unethical practices in regards to workers rights.
• taking a stance politically
• signing petitions
• talking to your elected officials
• going out and educating people about buying ethically
• Working with a nonprofit

Films to watch about Human rights and the Fashion industry: 

Ethics and the fashion industry | DW Documentary

True Cost