FAST-Fashion Secrets oxo

If you are anything like me and spend your half your money on fast-fashion brands such as Prettylittlething, Boohoo, Nastygal etc. Then you should probably think twice next time you give your money to industries that take advantage of other countries and individuals. Yup, I know. Crazy.

E.g. Boohoo have been caught paying their Leicester factory workers less than minimum wage - £3.50! per! hour!

Additionally, the brand has accusations of putting employees at risk by continuing to work without any social distancing measuring in place at the factories despite lockdown and Covid-19.

Furthermore, workers in the BooHoo factories are from minority groups, this means the workers are vulnerable to abuse because of their immigration status, language skills and the support system. Workers are willing to accept the conditions they are working in because of the lack of documentation of resident status or any formal contracts. This encourages silence about labour rights for fear of deportation. This is highly unethical as they are not following the Human Right Act and they are taking advantage of vulnerable people.

(Clean Clothes Campaign, 2021)

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Pollution

Fast-fashion in the main reason for environmental poverty, this is because fast-fashion brands target countries such as China, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia and several other poor Asian countries as suppliers. They are attracted to these countries because of the lack of environmental regulations and protection in the countries. It encourages retailer to produce more clothing without any legal push back. The root cause of the poverty is through the amount of water, chemicals and waste that go into producing the products. They are responsible for 79 billion cubic meter of water every year. Factories flush water with chemicals into rivers and oceans, this is resulting in citizens drinking and washing themselves with this in the the water. This is unfair for the developing countries that already deal with water illnesses and brands are making it worse, when morally they should help prevent this.

How can fast-fashion brand become more sustainable?

It is sad that our favourite companies, use this way of producing our products but companies can become more sustainable by supporting the Greenpeace environment campaign. This is because they have secured commitments with 80 global companies in the fashion industry to prevent chemicals going into rivers and oceans. They help provide developing countries with clean water, food and resources to help the people become healthier.

References:

Child, D. (2020). Boohoo supplier modern slavery reports: How UK workers are “earning as little as £3.50 per hour.” [online] @EveningStandard. Available at: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/boohoo-modern-slavery-reports-uk-sweatshops-a4490186.html [Accessed 15 Mar. 2021].

‌Deutsche Welle (2020). Can Fast Fashion Be Sustainable? [online] EcoWatch. Available at: https://www.ecowatch.com/sustainable-fashion-2646356550.html [Accessed 17 Mar. 2021].

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