Social Justice in Fashion And Beauty

Place yourself in the shoes of a sweatshop worker:

As you wake up before sunrise, you brace yourself for another long day at the sweatshop. You're just one of the many workers here who work tirelessly to meet the demands of fast fashion companies. Your day starts at 5 am, and you don't know when it will end. Sometimes you work for 12 hours, sometimes even longer. You don't have a choice because you need to provide for your family.

When you enter the factory, you're hit by the noise of hundreds of sewing machines working in unison. The air is thick with the smell of chemicals, and your eyes start to sting. You put on your face mask and try to ignore the toxic fumes as you start your workday. Your job is to sew the sleeves onto shirts, and you have to do it as quickly as possible. There's no time for mistakes because if you fall behind, you'll be reprimanded by your supervisor.

The conditions in the sweatshop are inhumane. The temperature is high, and the ventilation is poor. Sometimes, the power goes out, and you have to work in complete darkness. There are no windows, so you have no idea what the weather is like outside. You have to drink water from a communal jug, and the toilets are filthy. You don't have access to clean drinking water or basic sanitation facilities, and it's not just you, it's everyone who works here.

Working in a sweatshop is physically and mentally exhausting. You're on your feet all day, and your hands ache from repetitive motion. The pressure to meet quotas and deadlines is immense, and it takes a toll on your mental health. You're constantly worried about losing your job, which is the only source of income for your family.

Unfortunately for many sweatshop workers, this scenario that most of us can’t even fathom going through, is a REALITY. Companies such as Zara, H&M, and Forever 21, who specialize in fast fashion, rely on sweatshops to keep their prices low. These companies outsource their manufacturing to countries like Bangladesh, India, and China, where labor is inexpensive and regulations are not stringent. The workers in these sweatshops are paid minimum wages, receive no benefits, and have little job security. Overtime pay is not guaranteed either.

The fast fashion industry is a significant contributor to sweatshops and their exploitative labor practices. Consumers who purchase cheap clothing from fast fashion companies are supporting a system that thrives on the exploitation of workers. Although fast fashion is convenient and affordable, it comes at a cost. It is essential to ask questions like "was this shirt made in a sweatshop?" "How much did the worker who made this get paid?" and "Were they working in safe conditions?" when purchasing clothing. It is vital to consider the true cost of the clothes we wear. Supporting fast fashion indirectly supports the abuse of human rights. There are other options. Whether you invest in high-quality garments that are made ethically and last longer, shop at thrift stores, or buy second-hand clothes, anything is better than indirectly supporting these sorts of abusive conditions. By supporting brands that prioritize workers' rights and are transparent about their supply chain, consumers can vote with their wallets and demand change from fast fashion companies.

In conclusion, being a sweatshop worker is a harsh reality that many people face worldwide. The fast fashion industry relies on sweatshops to produce cheap clothes, but consumers have the power to make a change. It is crucial to make more conscious choices when buying clothes and think about the true cost of what we wear. Looking the other way will solve zero problems–the only way to change the fast fashion industry is to repudiate it.