The $450 billion global fashion industry is one of the most important economies in the world. It produces clothes for people all over the world and employs over 25 million workers in more than 100 countries. Top three of the most successful fashion brands in 2013 were: Zara, Nike and H&M. But they do not only share popularity, also the 'Made in' label. China, Bangladesh, Indonesia etc. are the norm. Most of the clothes are produced in developing countries, but mainly delivered and sold in industrial countries. To stay competitive and being able to provide low prices, companies not only decrease production salaries, but also working conditions. Furthermore it will be discussed who is responsible for these issues and what can be done about it?.
The employees of the fashion industry are working for, far less than a minimum wage or living wage. Inhumanity working conditions exist in most of the factories. One of the major issues is long working hours and overtime. The normal working hours are between 10 and 18 hours a day. But during peak seasons or when factories face deadlines, working hours can even arise. Employees do not have a day off and often forced to sew until their arms feel sore and .
stiff. Sometimes they have to work both shifts, day and night. If they cannot keep up, they face different kind of abuses and dismissals. .
Another major concern is safety and health. Experiencing chemicals, heat, noise, overwork and exhaustion is normal. In Bangladesh, hundreds of people died and many more have been injured in a factory fire at the end of 2012. There were no emergency exists and most died in a mass panic. Other unacceptable conditions are that employees are not allowed to use the toilet when they need or receiving clean drinking water. Ill workers are often undiagnosed and untreated. They get cuts in wages or even get fired, when they take time for medical care or to recover. Discrimination and abuse starts already with the applying process.
