Introduction
The environmental effect of the fast fashion business has been widely discussed in recent years, but the issue of human rights breaches inside the sector is primarily disregarded. Arrigo (2020) defines it as rapidly manufacturing and selling stylish, low-priced apparel. Many of these brands have factories in developing nations because of the lower labor costs.
Despite the low price and speedy manufacturing, there is a hefty cost for the individuals who create these clothing. Low salaries, poor working conditions, frequent abuse and exploitation are commonplace in the business (Zhang et al., 2021). They put in long shifts with few breaks and sometimes have to put in unpaid overtime. Injuries and illnesses are commonplace because many employees lack access to proper safety gear.
Firms take a toll on workers’ bodies, psyches, and the natural world. Large amounts of water and energy are used to create these garments, and when they fall off the market, they are discarded, adding to the rising problem of textile waste (Peters et al., 2021). This paper aims to shed light on the issue of human rights breaches within the business. It will analyze the causes and effects of a firm’s role in exploiting and abusing workers and how companies and individuals can create a more sustainable and ethical fashion sector.
Research Questions
This research paper seeks to answer the following questions:
- Regarding human rights violations, who is to blame, and what are their root causes within the fast fashion industry?
- To what extent has the business addressed these human rights breaches, and what preventative measures may be implemented to ensure they never happen again?
Overview of the Fast Fashion Industry
The industry describes a type of retailing that prioritizes efficiency and affordability while making garments and accessories. The main idea behind the sector is to release new collections often and at low prices to maximize turnover and profits. The term “fast fashion” has started to be used interchangeably with “disposable culture,” in which items are produced to be worn only a few times before being thrown away (Neumann et al., 2020).
The sector can meet customer needs by rapidly adapting to shifting aesthetic and color trends. Its clothes are cheap and usually of poor quality, made to fall apart after a couple of washes. The business encourages wastage by having merchants place bulk orders with the expectation of rapid fulfillment. Companies regularly flout minimum wage rules in countries like Bangladesh, China, and India when they outsource production, subjecting workers to unsafe, hazardous, and exploitative working conditions.
Over the past few decades, the industry has grown exponentially and spans the globe. In 2020, the business was responsible for around $500 billion of the expected $2.6 trillion global textile market (Peters et al., 2021). Global supply chains have been developed by leading fast-fashion firms such as Zara, H&M, and Forever 21 (Gazzola et al., 2020). This has allowed these businesses to rapidly source resources, manufacture clothing, and ship them to customers worldwide. The company has also used E-commerce sites and social media to attract new customers. Bloggers and vloggers in the fashion industry are vital in promoting the firm’s businesses to their audiences, increasing consumer demand for the latest trends.
The free flow of commodities, capital, and labor across international borders is a critical factor in the development of the fast fashion sector. Retailers started sending manufacturing to nations like China and Bangladesh with cheaper labor costs once trade restrictions were eased in the 1980s (Anner, 2020). The business was popularized by Zara in the 1990s, with the company launching a new collection every two weeks (Miotto & Youn, 2020).
Chains like H&M and Forever 21 followed with quicker turnaround times and lower pricing. Companies in the sector flourished swiftly, creating new stores and expanding into new areas. In recent years, it has been under fire for its adverse effects on human rights and the environment. People realize fast fashion contributes to labor exploitation, environmental deterioration, and excessive trash production (Kim & Oh, 2020). Sustainable and ethical manners are rising, and shoppers demand more brand accountability.
Human Rights Violations in the Fast Fashion Industry
There are few sectors as lucrative and wealthy as the fast fashion market. However, the industry has been criticized for its flagrant disrespect for human rights. It has been linked to several human rights breaches, including exploitative child labor practices and unsafe working conditions. The use of child labor is one of the most significant abuses of human rights that occurs in the business. Children as young as six are often exploited and forced to labor in factories or fields in many third-world nations. These children frequently face dangerous working circumstances, such as contact with poisonous materials, poor ventilation, and restricted confinement.
Research has estimated that there are approximately 152 million child laborers globally, with over 71% of these children working in the industry (Arrigo, 2020). For example, about 1.5 million youngsters in Uzbekistan are reportedly exploited in the country’s cotton fields, which supply the sector and worldwide textile industries (Anner, 2020). These kids frequently work more than 12 hours daily without breaks for food or drink. Some die from overwork and related ailments; some suffer emotional and physical abuse.
Workplace abuse is a well-known problem in the fashion sector. Factory and shop workers generally put in long hours for low pay without guarantees of future employment (Stringer et al., 2020). They are often denied access to fundamental human rights, including freedom of association, rest periods, and safe working conditions, and are exposed to verbal and physical abuse by their employers. Workers in the garment industry in Bangladesh, for example, are paid as little as $1.50 a day (Anner, 2020). They are also routinely refused breaks for food and drink and made to labor long hours without overtime compensation.
Factory employees frequently suffer from respiratory difficulties and other illnesses due to the hazardous working environment. There have been several instances of human rights violations in recent years. It means there is a time to think about the work of the fashion industry and ask why its functioning is associated with the ethical dilemma nowadays. With the increased importance of sustainability issues, the industry remains almost unchanged. Asking why the situation is observed and when it emerged is one of the significant customer tasks nowadays.
Human rights abuses in the business may be traced back to the firms’ insatiable appetite for profit. Companies like this put profit above ethics and sustainability, which leads to labor abuse and environmental devastation. However, these abuses in the business are widespread and not just the fault of the companies. Nguyen et al. (2021) note that neither suppliers nor governments adequately enforce labor and safety standards in manufacturing countries. These organizations are responsible for ensuring that everyone in the workplace is safe and treated with respect.
However, they frequently prioritize economic growth ahead of human rights, which can lead to inadequate implementation of legislation protecting workers’ rights and workplace safety. Due to a lack of regulation and responsibility, businesses can continue to violate employees’ rights in their pursuit of profit (Antonini et al., 2020). Companies in the industry are not entirely to blame for human rights abuses, but they have a vital role in finding solutions. They have leverage as the final link in the supply chain and can thus insist on improved working conditions and compliance with safety standards from their suppliers. These crimes persist, however, since many fast fashion firms continue to put capital above ethics.
The sector consumers can also do their part to stop human rights abuses. Consumers can tell the firms that they will not support enterprises that exploit employees and abuse their rights by shopping at ethical and sustainable brands (Kim & Oh, 2020). However, consumers are also to blame for perpetuating the problem when they buy from fast fashion brands that are infamous for human rights violations.
Ultimately, while the firms cannot be held responsible for all human rights abuses in the sector, they have some responsibility for improving. They must put ethics ahead of financial interests and push for more stringent constraints on working conditions and safer operations among their suppliers. Consumers may play a role by saying that they will not buy from companies that exploit employees or abuse their rights by opting instead to buy from sustainable, ethical brands.
Response to Human Rights Violations in the Fast Fashion Industry
While people are becoming more aware of human rights abuses in the industry, solutions have been slow and inadequate. In response to concerns that their supply chains may be contributing to human rights issues, several brands have launched corporate social responsibility programs (CSR). Codes of behavior, auditing practices, and programs to increase employee agency are all examples (Nguyen et al., 2021). These efforts, however, have been called insufficient and tokenistic.
To begin, rules of conduct are frequently ambiguous, providing little accountability for businesses to ensure the safety and well-being of their employees (Sorensen & Johnson Jorgensen, 2019). Some have argued that auditing processes are flawed because they rely too heavily on self-reporting and emphasize ensuring compliance rather than evaluating the quality of employees’ working conditions.
Furthermore, while worker empowerment programs aim to provide workers with a voice, they may not tackle the root causes of violations, such as low wages and insecurity in the workplace (Antonini et al., 2020). Moreover, since these initiatives are often implemented without genuine worker participation, there is a chance that they do not accurately reflect the needs or interests of the workforce. Due to their limitations and lack of enforceability, CSR initiatives have not successfully addressed human rights violations in the fast fashion industry.
Worker-led initiatives are an alternate strategy to addressing these issues in the sector. Strikes and demonstrations are two methods workers employ to improve their working conditions (Miotto & Youn, 2020). These actions have improved working conditions for those in the business by raising awareness of the problems they confront. However, their efficacy is hampered because individuals who engage in such activities frequently face employer retaliation through termination and blocklisting (Neumann et al., 2020). Moreover, these initiatives might only help employees in specific factories or supply chains rather than tackle the systemic issues that lead to violations in the industry. Overall, however vital they may be, these strategies cannot solve human rights breaches in business.
Governments and regulatory authorities must take action to solve violations in the sector. However, the responses have been slow and inconsistent. The UK passed the Modern Slavery Act, and California passed the Transparency in Supply Chains Act to combat these problems (Zhang et al., 2021). However, there has been a lack of enforcement of these laws. The global nature of the sector also makes it challenging for any single government to control it effectively.
The absence of accountability and enforcement mechanisms has impeded the efforts of international agencies such as the International Labor Organization (ILO) to solve these concerns (Arrigo, 2020). Human rights breaches in the business require more and more uniform regulation and enforcement from countries and international agencies.
In response to Bangladesh’s Rana Plaza building collapse that sparked an essential dialogue on human rights in the sector, the Bangladesh Accord was drafted as a legally binding agreement. The goal was to make Bangladesh textile factories safer and better for employees (Anner, 2020). The Accord was essential in raising international consciousness about human rights abuses in the sector. It devised a plan to conduct structural inspections of factories and improve manufacturing conditions, with advice for factory owners in Bangladesh. More than two million people now enjoy a safer working environment thanks to the agreement’s positive impact on workplace safety across the country.
Despite progress due to the Bangladesh Accord, human rights breaches are still commonplace in the country’s garment factories. However, other infractions, such as poor salaries, long working hours, and child labor, have not been addressed despite the Accord’s effectiveness in enhancing mechanical and fire safety at the facilities. The business relies on low-wage labor, typically provided by minors or adults working without legal protections or formal contracts (Anner, 2020). This is because the nations that make these clothing usually have less stringent labor regulations and provide less protection for workers. In addition, the Bangladesh Accord has singled out one country while disregarding human rights abuses in others, such as Cambodia, Indonesia, India, and China. As major suppliers to the industry, these nations must play a pivotal role in ending human rights abuses in the garment sector.
At the same time, the investigation leaves the question, “Who is to blame?” It remains unclear whether the big fast fashion brands are responsible for the situation because they desire to generate profits. At the same time, there is a question of whether it is possible to leave the regulation of the problem to the government to ensure it creates necessary regulations and monitors the work of big brands. The question remains complex as it is difficult to determine who should take the lead. However, following the formulated opinion, the most prominent companies acting within the industry are responsible for the future supply chains, meaning they should promote sustainable changes to guarantee better working conditions and void human rights violations in the future.
Discussion
The sector is one of the world’s largest and most lucrative markets. However, forced labor, child labor, poor working conditions, low wages, and environmental degradation have all been linked to this industry. These infractions are highly upsetting and have far-reaching consequences for everyone involved, from industrial employees to customers to the environment (Miotto & Youn, 2020). From worker exploitation to environmental destruction, the business has severe consequences for human rights.
However, buying clothes should not introduce an ethical dilemma; otherwise, the whole sector should be altered. Using child labor and unethical practices is unethical and should be considered by clients when considering a particular brand. At the same time, making informed decisions is complex and requires higher engagement levels. For this reason, the fashion industry’s work today might be stressing and create the basis for numerous moral debates about its nature.
The problem is that workers in the business are often exposed to dangerous and unhealthy circumstances on the job. Examples include making employees work long shifts without rest intervals, providing insufficient food and drink supplies, and providing inadequate means of personal protection. In addition, many people in the labor force are not paid enough to cover their fundamental needs, including food, housing, and medical care (Anner, 2020).
Thirdly, the sector has a terrible reputation for its effect on the planet. Manufacturing clothing in bulk consumes significant quantities of water, energy, and raw materials. The unsustainable obtaining of these materials contributes significantly to environmental damage and global warming. The issue is made worse because many textiles wind up in landfills after being discarded along with the clothing themselves.
The sector presents several obstacles and difficulties when solving human rights concerns. First, there is a lot of money to be made in this field, and many businesses would instead put profits ahead of human rights. Because of this, it becomes more challenging to implement legislation or standards meant to safeguard employees (Antonini et al., 2020).
Second, the business is very complex due to the large number of participants. This makes monitoring the supply chain for infractions and punishing responsible parties harder. Third, many customers are unaware it is linked to human rights issues. Due to insufficient education, it is challenging to generate demand for ethical and sustainable fashion, which might force businesses to alter their methods.
Thus, the information investigated during research helps to address posed questions and formulate a personal opinion. It implies that the answer to the question “Who is to blame?” is simple, as big companies show little commitment to observing human rights while governments fail to notice it. That is why we should believe that the combined measures are the only possible way to address the problem.
Customers cannot continue disregarding the issue and force brands to introduce specific measures. At the same time, consumers cannot lead the change on their own because of the lack of resources and authority. For this reason, another question linked to the main one is “What to do?”. It can be answered by offering a roadmap for future change.
The following are some suggestions that might be included in the roadmap. First, governments need to strictly enforce norms and rules that safeguard the rights of employees in the sector. This includes safeguards against forced and underage labor and a minimum guaranteed pay (Miotto & Youn, 2020). Second, businesses should disclose their supply chain so that consumers may be sure that all parties involved in the garment industry operate ethically.
Third, consumers should be aware of the abuses associated with the firm to increase demand for ethical and sustainable fashion (Brewer, 2019). Additionally, businesses should encourage circular fashion by creating items that can be reused. Furthermore, companies are responsible for upholding workers’ rights by preventing forced and child labor and ensuring a safe workplace.
Conclusion
Human rights issues, such as low salaries, unsafe working conditions, and the exploitation of employees, have been linked to the fast fashion sector. Due to the global nature of the industry’s supply chain, it is not uncommon for manufacturers and retailers to exploit their workers. The sector, which caters to consumers’ insatiable need for affordable, on-trend apparel, has emerged due to an enterprise prioritizing quantity above quality.
All parties involved must address these breaches in the business, including producers, sellers, buyers, and governments. It is crucial to advocate for sustainable and ethical fashion methods that put the well-being of their employees first. To guarantee that the well-being of workers is not compromised in the production of goods sold by retailers, these companies must promote openness and responsibility across their supply chains. Governments should enact legislation and regulations that safeguard the rights of employees and encourage environmentally responsible and ethical production methods.
The industry must make a change toward more sustainable and ethical methods that protect the rights of employees and the environment. Ensuring the sector adapts responsibly and ethically will necessitate input from many parties. In addition to retailers, consumers may encourage more ethical practices by insisting on more disclosure and by shopping from sustainable and ethical businesses. Increased supply chain transparency and accountability, enforcement of labor rights and standards, and promotion of sustainable and ethical fashion practices are all possible responses to the problem of breaches in the sector.
At the same time, in answering the research questions, one can see the complexity of the problem and the involvement of numerous actors. Nowadays, the leadership on the issue remains somewhat murky as it is unclear who should act as the change agent and a facilitator of a new shift. From a personal perspective, the fast fashion industry benefits from high income and disregards the needs and rights of workers. It also happens because of the comparatively mild regulations introduced by governments.
The researcher believes the situation may be helped by empowering workers and their communities and advocating fair trade practices. Ultimately, human rights abuse in the business is a multifaceted problem that can only be solved through concerted efforts. To create a more responsible and fair future for the companies and workers, the industry must emphasize workers’ rights, safety, and well-being and adopt sustainable and ethical practices.
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