Impact on People

This section aligns to the 'Where do you buy your clothes?' part of the workbook.

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Slave labour is still alive and well

Most garment production has moved into China and Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar.

Check the label of an item of your clothing and find out where it was made. Pick the story that matches where your clothes were made. Stories are from remakeworld.

China- Ming Hui

“I was 19 when I left my home village in Yulian and headed to the city to find work at a factory. That’s what many girls from my village do. I was so curious and excited to explore the world outside. Three years later my entire life is the factory, full of long hard hours on my feet. My main job is to look for defects in the fabric. For 12 hours a day, I stare at fabric ensuring that it’s perfect. I would love to meet you. The woman who wears the fabric I stare at all day long. I bet you look cool!”

In immersing themselves in Chinese mills and factories, researchers found that:
Fabric dying is dirty business and humans are continually exposed to harsh chemicals. People dedicate their lives to our wardrobes, working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week. These workers don’t get paid for extra time they put in and they are expected to work extremely hard.

Bangladesh- A Seamstresses Story

“After my husband left me and my infant daughter, I had to find ways to care for her and my aging parents. So here I am, many years later working at a garment factory. As I pull threads out of hoodies and do the final inspection, I sneak glances at the clock. My days are long and I miss my daughter so much. When the sun starts to set, it’s my favorite part of the day because I get to go home to my daughter.
I often imagine university students hanging out, wearing the hoodies that I helped make. I hope you know that my daughter’s and my life are supported by the threads of your hoodie.”

In immersing themselves in Bangladesh mills and factories, researchers found that:
Often doors to fire exits are locked to stop workers sneaking out. Workers are verbally and physically abused and threatened with violence if they do not meet targets. In 2013 a Bangladesh factory collapsed killing over 1000 people because proper safety checks had not been done to keep the workers safe.

Cambodia- Char Wong

“I wanted a better life for myself and my family which is why I took this work. But life has become harder. If there’s even one single error in the batch, I don’t get paid at all. Learning complex designs is very difficult and we get no training. Sometimes it takes two or three hours just to learn and the factory supervisor scolds us for any mistakes. The more time it takes to learn a design, the less time I have to meet the quota and the less money I make. I typically make $5 a day, but with the more complex designs, I only make $2 a day. Sometimes I cry because I fear I won’t meet the quota and get paid. I want to pay for my children to get an education

In immersing themselves in Cambodia mills and factories, researchers found that:
Workers do not know their rights. They are threatened, mistreated and paid very poorly.

Myanmar- An Unfair Workplace

Why have fast fashion brands rushed to Myanmar?
Because it has one of the lowest minimum wages in the world.
It currently equates to $2.65 a day for eight hours of work. Reports of unpaid and even forced overtime are common, as the country struggles to create laws for its new garment sector and makers.

In immersing themselves in Myanmar mills and factories, researchers found that:
Staff were working through lunch breaks well into the night to meet high production targets of fast-demanding brands. Makers faced verbal abuse from supervisors and were not given a day off in a seven-day week. Some makers in Myanmar’s factories were paid only half the country’s minimum wage and/or were working over 60 hours in a week, what amounts to approximately $80 per week.

Who do you buy your clothes from?

Every year Tearfund creates a report that ranks companies on how ethical they are. This means they look after their workers and their rights. Below is the most recent report. Have a look for companies you use. How ethical are they? (Orange = bad, Blue = good)

Is Temu ethical?

You need to do an investigation into Temu. Here are some questions to consider:

Are there any reports of exploitation, child labor, or unfair treatment in the Temu shopping supply chain?
Can consumers easily trace the origin and production processes of the items they purchase?
Are there instances where Temu shopping platforms have engaged in socially responsible initiatives or faced criticism for neglecting social issues?
Are there examples of small businesses thriving or struggling in the face of competition from Temu shopping?

Torohanga - Extension

Why do people risk everything to leave their country?

Sometimes students ask "Why don't they just move?" The answer is sometimes they do. This lesson explores why some people are trapped in difficult living and working conditions — and why others take enormous risks to leave.