Learning from labels
Aim:
To find out more about the clothing trade and the rights of workers.
You will need:
A selection of clothing.
Duration:
45 minutes
Look at the labels in your clothes. Where were they made? How many different countries are represented in your wardrobe? Can you find these countries on a world map?
You may notice that many clothes are made in poorer countries. This is because companies can pay workers a lower wage, and other costs such as factories and materials may also be cheaper. Textile and clothing workers in poorer countries often work in very poor conditions for long hours. Some multinational companies have come under pressure to improve their practices, when it has been revealed that they pay their workers a very low wage, but make huge profits when they sell their goods in rich countries.
Find out about the companies that made your clothes. You could write to the companies to ask about their policy on worker's rights. Look on to the Internet to find if the company has a website, and if they state their position about worker's rights.
Find out about the work of organisations working to protect the rights of garment workers around the world. These organisations do NOT ask you to boycott companies, because that might mean workers end up losing their jobs. Instead they ask that consumers tell companies to clean up their act. This means developing ethical working relationships with suppliers, and not always putting pressure on workers to deliver clothing faster and cheaper.