Introduction
Fast fashion is the accelerated production of cheap clothing, often inspired by recent trends. The fast fashion industry is one of the significant drivers of globalization, which has led to outsourcing manufacturing to countries with weaker labor regulations. Subsequently, many are compelled to live in destitution, battling to meet their fundamental necessities and keep a good way of life since around 300 million individuals are utilized universally (Assoune). Additionally, there are serious health concerns for these workers due to the synthetic chemicals used in these factories, some of which have been shown to cause cancer.
No matter what the All-China Federation of Trade Unions’ guilds endeavors to work on working circumstances, they still need improvement. Similarly, Turkey’s apparel sector has responded to fast fashion demands by constantly inventing, but sustainability is required. Finally, labor regulations and practices have considerably influenced Bangladesh’s apparel sector, and fast fashion has further exacerbated matters. This essay will focus on three countries that significantly contribute to fast fashion production and are criticized for inhumane labor conditions: China, Bangladesh, and Turkey.
China
In China, the fast fashion industry has witnessed significant growth, resulting in a rapid expansion of factory production. However, labor conditions in these factories have been criticized for being subpar. According to Kane (1), China’s garment industry GDP was 47%; however, workers are exploited. China Galaxy is one example of a factory that made significant investments to improve its facilities. Despite these improvements, workers in the factory still faced a hierarchy of accommodation, with Hong Kong managers receiving well-furnished flats. In contrast, production workers were housed in six to eight rooms.
Furthermore, worker’s unions have been at the forefront in many countries to ensure workers are not exploited (Labor Rights in the Garment Industry). For instance, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU) has been engaging with other labor movements to learn about the role of trade unions in a free market economy and other nations’ labor relations, labor law, and collective bargaining (Wong 94). Despite these efforts, labor conditions in China remain far from ideal, with a Monthly Labor Review (1945) stating that “the pre-war living standards of the unskilled and semiskilled workers’ families, measured by Western ideas, were deficient” (19). This same report also noted that wages were relatively low, with skilled mechanics receiving higher pay due to the extreme scarcity of such workers.
Exploiting employees, particularly migrant workers, who are more subject to labor violations, is one of the most severe charges in the Chinese fast fashion sector. According to Carlile, the more significant part of China’s modern laborers are poor migrants from the countryside with few choices for work and are often ignorant about their privileges. Long hours, low pay, and hazardous working conditions are expected for these laborers (Crumbie). As per a review by the Hong Kong-based non-legislative association China Work Release, numerous specialists in Chinese organizations worked over 12 hours daily, six or seven days weekly, with no extra pay (Jackson). This amount of overwork and underpayment frequently leads to workers needing help to satisfy their fundamental demands or live a decent life.
Turkey
Turkey’s clothing industry has evolved significantly, adapting to the global landscape and fast fashion demands. With roughly 18% of Turkey’s products exported, the textile and clothing industry has significantly committed to the country’s economy (Normuminovich et al. 1590). Moreover, Tokatli et al. (1212) emphasize that “the Turkish domestic market of 70 million people also drives a substantial part of the domestic clothing industry.” Turkey’s many benefits have made it easier to go from producing clothing for ready-to-wear to creating designs for fast fashion. Turkey has advantages in commerce and currency from prior decades and benefits associated with competency from the most recent decade.
However, these authors also warn of a “sustainability problem“ related to these advantages, indicating the need for the industry to adapt and innovate continuously. In addition, these benefits have also brought up sustainability issues, such as increased environmental degradation and reliance on imported commodities. The Turkish garment sector must consistently innovate and adapt to overcome these difficulties. A more sustainable production method is required, one that uses ethical labor methods and ecologically favorable resources.
Even with the rise of the business, Turkey’s labor conditions have been challenged. Shao states that growing government regulations may respond to the inability of fashion industries to self-regulate despite their stated intentions. For example, Johannisson emphasizes concerns such as failure to pay overtime, a lack of legal remedies, and child labor. Moreover, Turkey has been chastised for having low pay permitted by law to support a reasonable level of life (AlJazeera). According to Johannisson, Turkey’s minimum salary in 2019 was only $353 per month, far less than the country’s average living expenditures.
Bangladesh
Labor laws and practices have significantly impacted the clothing industry in Bangladesh. Anderson, Hossain, and Sahota assert, “Union selection is not a random event, and future work estimating the economic impact of unions in Bangladesh must control for this firm selection.“ (Anderson et al. 150). As stated in the introduction, pressure to satisfy fast fashion demands has resulted in a race to the bottom in nations such as Bangladesh.
The garment industry is no exception to the country’s lengthy history of labor exploitation (Mallet). Fast fashion has further complicated the industry, with Taplin describing how consumers are “demanding greater variety“ and retailers reconfiguring supply chains for “speed and low-cost production.“ (Taplin 78). However, this race to the bottom has resulted in abuses in countries like Bangladesh, with Western consumers often remaining relatively indifferent to the plight of those workers overseas.
Despite the industry’s economic importance, worker conditions in Bangladesh have been extensively criticized. Laborers are often exposed to unnecessary hours, awful working circumstances, and low compensation. Bangladesh has one of the world’s lowest wages, and representatives regularly battle to earn barely enough. Furthermore, as Mallet points out, merchants increasingly demand low-cost production, which has resulted in a concentration on cost-cutting and driving salaries further down (Moulds). This emphasis on cost-cutting has resulted in hazardous working conditions, including structural failures that have led to plant collapses and fires, killing hundreds of people.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the fast fashion sector has significantly impacted globalization, but at a cost to the employees who make this clothing. Among the nations where the working conditions in fast fashion manufacturers have been criticized are China, Turkey, and Bangladesh. In addition to poor working conditions and low wages, workers lack union rights and benefits. Fast fashion and labor exploitation are issues that need to be addressed with more regulation, consumer education, and support for fair labor conditions. Without reform, individuals with the lowest incomes will continue to bear the consequences of fast fashion’s human cost.
Works Cited
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