It's Time To Think About Where Your Clothes Are Made

Most people have heard about sweatshops. Most people have an awareness that some clothing is made in places where people are treated poorly. Most people would not go out of their way to buy garments made in a sweatshop. But what does it really mean to choose "sweatshop-free" clothing and accessories? Sometimes we hear a term like "sweatshop" and we don’t really stop to think about what that word means. It’s time to think about the people behind the word.

So what does a sweatshop look like? Frequently, workers in sweatshop put in 15-to-19-hour workdays, working weeks at a time with no break. Often, they are housed at the sweatshop location, sleeping on the floor. In some cases, sweatshop workers are not allowed to leave the premises. Workers complete their tasks in an environment of threats and punishment. There is no allowance for sickness. Pregnant workers are treated equally poorly. Wages are below poverty level, often below even the legal minimum wage set by the local government. Harsh overseers ensure that workers do not have the opportunity to unite and request fair treatment. Both adults and children endure such conditions.

Sweatshops are not limited to foreign countries; they exist in the United States as well. It is not uncommon for companies to have sweatshops located in a U.S. territory not subject to U.S. labor laws. The sweatshop-produced garment would be entitled to bear the "made in the U.S.A." label. (If you think this sounds deceptive, you are correct!) Some garments are also produced in a sweatshop on U.S. soil that is under the radar of the Department of Labor. Some companies set up mobile sweatshops and move locations if the Department of Labor becomes aware of their existence. In other words, even the label "made in the U.S.A." does not guarantee that an article of clothing was produced under humane or ethical conditions.

Sweatshops do not exist because of necessity. They exist because of greed. When one considers the multi-million dollar salaries paid to top executives of large companies, one can’t help but wonder why the people producing the goods sold in these stores aren’t paid livable wages.  Some will argue that sweatshops in a community provide income to the community that wasn't there before.  This "argument" is a myth; sweatshops do not improve the lives of anyone in local communities. 

So, knowing all this, why would anyone purchase anything that was possibly made in a sweatshop? What can you do to make sure you are not contributing to the exploitation of other people?

Here are a few suggestions: 

• Purchase clothing and accessories second-hand, from vintage clothing stores, consignment stores, thrift stores, garage sales, craigslist, or find clothes in your size on freecycle.
• Make your own clothing, hire a local seamstress to make your clothing, or buy clothing from craft fairs.
• Sell, consign, or donate the clothes you aren't wearing anymore.
• Only buy what you need.
• Select clothing and accessories from manufacturers and retailers who guarantee sweatshop-free conditions. Look for descriptors such as fair trade, fair wage, socially responsible, sweatshop-free, union-made.

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In addition to your conscious shopping choices, you can inquire of manufacturers or retailers the conditions under which their garments are made. Ask them if they pay their workers a living wage, enough to support a family. Do they provide healthy working conditions? Are the workers given an opportunity to organize themselves? Tell them that your shopping dollars will be spent on clothing made under fair wage and fair trade conditions.

You can also join an advocacy and educational group such as Co-op America.

When you chose garments and accessories produced by fair trade and fair wage companies, you are supporting fair treatment and respect for other people. Many of us probably can’t fully imagine actual sweatshop conditions; it doesn’t take much imagination, however, to realize that sweatshop conditions are intolerable.

Sources:

Guide to Ending Sweatshops publication produced by Co-op America. http://www.coopamerica.org/programs/sweatshops/orderguide.cfm

Gogoi, Pallavi. "Wal-Mart Supplier Accused of Sweatshop Conditions." Business Week October 9, 2008. http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/oct2008/db2008109_219930.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_companies

Sweatshops: Harsh Conditions Create Public Support for Reform. Hearts & Minds Information for Change website. http://www.heartsandminds.org/articles/sweat.htm

copyright 2009 Kimberly Skinner