Cheap Imports Vs Buying Locally Made Clothing
In our previous blogs we have outlined the exploitation in the fashion industry and some of the environmental consequences of its existence. We have outlined steps you can take to force improvement in the industry and consideration you should make when buying your clothes. In this blog we deal with buying local and the advantages it can have
Labour, Pay and Conditions
Cheap Imports
As we have said many times before, few people really consider how the workers were treated that made their clothing. Even when it is obvious from the price that it would be impossible to properly pay workers and end up with the selling price. In truth, workers often have to work long hours in dangerous factories for tiny earnings. The EU describes many of the current working conditions as akin to Slave Labour. If conditions do improve and costs rise companies tend to move to t another country where they are still cheaper. The collapse of the Rana Plaza in 2013, killing 1134 garment workers in Dhaka, Bangladesh, revealed the unacceptable working conditions of the whole fashion industry to the world. Employees are often forced to work with no ventilation, breathing in toxic substances, inhaling fibre dust or blasted sand in unsafe buildings. Accidents, fires and injuries, are very frequent occurrences on textile production sites. Little sadly has changed. On top of that, clothing workers regularly face verbal and physical abuse. In some cases, when they fail to meet unattainable daily targets, they are insulted, denied breaks, or not allowed to drink water. Garment workers are often forced to work 14 to 16 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Local Manufacture in UK
One way of countering this is to buy from brands making here in the UK. Our brand offers a first class selection of ladies and men's British made clothing. This includes ladies tops and men's british made shirts along with our ever popular boxer shorts. Whilst this does not guarantee proper care of workers as shown by events in Leicester with respect to boohoo suppliers at least many companies pay the living wage and look after their staff. If there are any suspected breaches then those responsible can be investigated. It is still possible that the company is indulging in greenwashing but if they are local you can research and request information. By purchasing from UK made clothing companies on a path to sustainability that are transparent, consumers can eventually force change. It will be gradual but consumer purchasing power is a wonderful thing.
Greenwashing
Greenwashing is where a company makes bogus claims or those limited to just a small part of their business, in order to convince buyers that they are more ethical and ecologically sound than they really are. Whilst it is true that they may be making genuine steps towards a sustainable goal it is also possible they are in fact looking to deceive and in reality only paying lip service to the causes that matter to you, so take care to properly research the brand and its supply chains
