Clothing as Politics, Fashion Revolution Day, Who Made Your Shirt?

Words escape me really :no:. I have read many books about this topic, and it only increases my sadness. This video only reinforces the lack of disregard for human lives in the fashion Industry, I am so impressed that this video even got made. Shame on all involved, major shame and major culpability for these lives lost.
I make clothing ( costumes) for a living, and just cannot imagine what it must be like for these workers to work in these conditions.
 
A little 'over-produced' of a video that I don't have the patience to wade through right now, but a documentary on the Bangladesh garment industry recently aired on Canadian television with the same message. What I don't understand is how governments can allow businesses to contract for work in countries and in factories where human rights are clearly being violated. It's not about the hourly wage - that is determined by the local economy and is difficult to measure by our standards, but human rights are measurable and should meet our own standards. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire happened over a century ago, and yet conditions are even worse in Bangladesh. I refuse to buy anything made by Joe Fresh or Walmart - they are the worst two abusers here in Canada.
 
lindapoirier said:
I am so glad they acknowledge that the country is doing better because of their growing industries. I've often heard that argument. If she wasn't working in that factory, what would be her quality of living be? I'm not saying the practices of the garment industry are fair or even acceptable but I do acknowledge that overall the quality of these people's lives are getting better BECAUSE of these industries. It's a double-edged sword."
Click to expand...

Linda, I totally disagree with that statement, as making money should never be compared on an equal standing with life being "better". The country may be less poor, but is the country now a better place? Most would say "no". Is the quality of that garment worker's life better because they now have money to eat (and little if any money for anything else than bare necessities) ? The quality of life was much better when they lived in the country, but they had no money to purchase food to feed their children or themselves. The portrait painted of life in that city is bleak, but yes....they have a job. Making about 1/2 penny every minute at best, 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. Yes, that sound so much better....or does it?

And if these industries really cared about their workers lives being better they would pay them a decent working wage.

Not to argue, but this subject hits me so hard I have to defend it.
 
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