You're admiring a chic blouse in your favourite store. But have you ever wondered about the hands that stitched it together? Chances are, they belong to a woman – one of the millions who form the invisible backbone of the $1.53 trillion fashion industry. At Underwear for Humanity, we're pulling back the curtain on fashion's untold story, where sustainability meets feminism in the most unexpected ways.
The Fabric of Inequality
Brace yourself for some eye-opening stats:
- A staggering 80% of textile workers are women
- Many clock in 12+ hours a day, 6 days a week
- Their earnings? Often 2-5 times less than a living wage
In South Asia alone, 50 million women work from home in the textile industry, earning 40% less than their factory counterparts. It's like a Russian nesting doll of inequality – open one layer, and you find another inside.
The Global Chase for Cheap Labour
In the fast fashion world, many brands are constantly searching for the cheapest places to make their clothes. It's like a never-ending hunt for bargains, but with serious consequences.
Here's how it typically works:
- A brand finds a country where wages are low and starts producing clothes there.
- Over time, as workers fight for better pay or the country improves its labour laws, costs go up.
- Instead of accepting these increased costs, the brand then moves its production to a different country where wages are still very low.
- This cycle repeats, creating a "race to the bottom" in terms of wages and working conditions.
This approach puts enormous pressure on factories to keep their prices low. To win contracts, they might:
- Pay workers less
- Cut corners on safety
- Demand longer hours without proper compensation
Ashila Dandeniya from Stand Up Sri Lanka shows us the human cost of this system. In Sri Lanka, garment workers earn only $70-$110 a month - not even enough for three meals a day. Workers' unions, which could help fight for better conditions, are rare and often discouraged.
Beyond the factory floors, an army of homeworkers toils in silence. These women, adding those intricate details we love, are fashion's best-kept secret – and its most vulnerable workforce. No contracts, no protections, just precarity stitched into every sequin.
This constant chase for the cheapest labour hurts workers, especially women who make up the majority of garment workers. It traps them in a cycle of poverty, making it nearly impossible to improve their lives.
At Underwear for Humanity, we believe there's a better way. We focus on building long-term relationships with our suppliers, ensuring fair wages and valuing the well-being of workers over rock-bottom prices. We believe that truly stylish clothes should make both the wearer and the maker feel good.
Sustainability: It's Not Just About Trees
Here's where it gets interesting. We've all heard about sustainable fabrics and eco-friendly dyes. But what about sustainable lives? True sustainability is a three-legged stool: environmental, economic, and social. Wobble on one, and the whole thing topples.
So, how do we balance this wobbly stool? Here's our Underwear for Humanity game plan:
- Transparency is the New Black: We're not just talking supply chains; we're shouting them from the rooftops.
- Fair Wages Are Always in Fashion: We ensure our partner factories pay 60% above the living wage.
- Benefits That Actually Benefit: Paid maternity leave and medical benefits? Check and check.
- Flip the Script: We're exploring the Better Buying Institute, where suppliers rate brands.
What You Can Do: Become a Label Detective
Here's how you can make a difference:
- Find the 'Made in' Tag: This isn't just trivia – it's the first clue in your sustainability investigation. A good check-in spot? Check out a brand’s sustainability credentials by typing its name into this sustainability tracker or Good on you.
- Look for Certifications: Fair Trade, GOTS, BSCI, B Corp or SA8000 are great signs. Nothing is perfect, but they're a start.
- Check the Brand's Website: Look for transparency about their supply chain and labour practices.
- Ask Questions: Don't see the info you need? Reach out to the brand. Your curiosity could spark change.
By paying attention to where your clothes come from, you're shining a light on the women behind the seams. You're saying, "I see you, I value you, and I want better for you." It's a small act with ripple effects.
Every time you check a label, you're tugging on a thread that connects you to a woman across the globe. You're turning 'Made in [Country]' from an afterthought into a statement of solidarity.
