Child Labour in the Fashion Industry
Photo credit/Mention de source: Tina Mokhtarnejad
Megan Ebreo
(FR) Malgré ses implications dévastatrice et dangereuse, le travail des enfants dans le secteur de la mode est une crise continue. Submergés dans le travail forcé et exposés à des conditions néfastes, voire mortels, au-delà de 100 millions d’enfants souffrent en raison des industries de la mode. Le texte suivant porte sur les conditions de travail des enfants dans les usines de confection, et plus particulièrement, sur ses implications et conséquences. En bref, le travail des enfants fait preuve d’une pratique contraire à l’éthique, nécessitant l’éducation des consommateurs et consommatrices à ce sujet, afin d’empêcher d’avantage le soutien de la mode éphémère.
The display of stylish clothing items with elaborate colours, textures, and embellishments in high-end boutiques suggests that the fashion industry is beautiful. However, underneath these intricate designs is an ugly reality that often goes unnoticed: many of today’s most popular clothing trends are made through the exploitative practice of child labour. We as consumers have the responsibility to make informed shopping choices in order to combat this unethical practice.
Child labour is an ongoing crisis within the fashion industry that exploits children and ignores their right to be heard. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), it is estimated that an astounding 152 million children are victims to child labour, half of whom are aged 5 to 11. Under this practice, these children are forced to work excessively long hours under dangerous working conditions for which they receive little pay. Many work in unsanitary environments that are exposed to various toxins and chemicals emitted from production processes. Additionally, sharp and heavy machinery pose a threat to the small, frail bodies of these child workers. Such working conditions jeopardize the safety and well-being of these victimized children, resulting in many deaths. In fact, ILO estimates that 22,000 children die each year while producing the textiles and garments that are in high demand by the fashion industry.
Authorities hiring adult workers would raise the potential for negotiation of higher wages and better living conditions, which companies refuse to comply to if at the expense of their profits.
Child labour exists in all levels of the supply chain and continues to be perpetrated through unclear relationships between companies and suppliers. Many companies lack communication with their sourcing partners and often do not know who supplies separate textiles and fabrics throughout the production process. Therefore, much ambiguity remains present within the relationships during all aspects of production.
Child labour is particularly used in the fast fashion industry. Fast fashion is a practice wherein clothing is produced in large quantities at the cheapest cost in response to the latest trends as dictated by celebrities and fashion influencers. As a result of fast fashion, companies are continuously pressured to find cheap sources of labour to meet the rising demands of consumers. The prime source of cheap labour for many of these companies is children because they are seen as easy, vulnerable targets; they have little power to resist adults in higher authority and many are unaware of the rights that they possess.
We as consumers have the power to fight against the use of child labour by making informed shopping choices. We must become aware of which companies use child labour and refuse to buy clothing from them, as buying from companies that endorse unethical practices encourages companies to continue their behaviour. Through purchasing from brands that produce ethically-made clothing items, pressure is put on companies that use child labour to improve their production policies and practices.
The use of child exploitation is unethical, which must be made clear to companies and large suppliers that take part in it. As consumers, we need to realize that we have the power to fight against this injustice through making informed shopping decisions. By making informed consumer choices and putting pressure on companies, the use of child labour can surely be broken.