Unethical practices in the apparel industry

Corruption in the garment industry
Bribery by clothing manufacturers
Criminal involvement in clothes production
Social abusive uses of the fashion industry
Incompetent tailoring
Negligence in clothes-making
Unregulated clothing industry
Irresponsible practices in the apparel industry

Nature

Despite the glamour of high fashion, most of the apparel industry is a world of misery and exploitation, of child labour, cramped factories and starvation wages. The very structure of the clothing industry makes it difficult to police. Manufacturers farm out work to hundreds of competing sub-contractors who hunt around the globe for ever cheaper labour, often finding it in countries with dubious humanitarian records, such as China, Burma and Indonesia.

The highly competitive nature of the apparel industry favours illicit copying of styles, counterfeiting of trade marks and labels, and exceptionally high mark-ups. The industry is strongly dependent on encouraging the consumer to adopt particular new styles and to reject old ones as unfashionable, thus leading to excessive allocation of resources to apparel which is only worn for a limited period before being discarded. Style changes are determined by a small elite whose motivation is to undermine the appropriateness of old styles, whether or not the new styles are appropriate, and to encourage conspicuous consumption on apparel.

Background

Unethical practices in the apparel industry gained global attention in the 1990s following exposés of sweatshop conditions and child labour in major supply chains, notably after incidents involving brands like Nike and Gap. Subsequent tragedies, such as the 2013 Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh, intensified scrutiny and galvanized international campaigns. These events highlighted the systemic nature of exploitation, prompting ongoing investigations, consumer activism, and regulatory efforts to address persistent abuses in garment production worldwide.

Incidence

Examples are legion. In the area of worker exploitation an excessive profits: many big-name trainers selling in the UK for around £80 are assembled for about 50 pence in Indonesia; jeans that sell for £50 may be sewn for about 25 pence.

Claim

Unethical practices in the apparel industry are a grave and urgent problem. Exploitation of workers, unsafe conditions, and environmental destruction are rampant, all for the sake of cheap fashion. Turning a blind eye to these injustices perpetuates suffering and inequality. We cannot ignore the human and ecological cost behind our clothes. Immediate action and accountability are essential to end these appalling abuses and create a fairer, more sustainable industry.

Counter-claim

Concerns about unethical practices in the apparel industry are vastly overstated. The industry provides millions of jobs and affordable clothing worldwide, driving economic growth in developing countries. Claims of widespread exploitation are exaggerated and often ignore improvements made over the years. Focusing on these so-called “problems” distracts from more pressing global issues. The apparel industry’s practices are not a significant concern and do not warrant the attention they receive.