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Why Should I Buy Ethical Clothing?

Garment workers throughout the globe are£40 per month is a struggle for a
traditionally paid the minimum wage andfamily to survive on as there is no
work long hours in poor conditions inwelfare system to help. Even though the
order to produce the clothes that wecost of living is much cheaper than the
take for granted.UK and USA, the cost of living is rising
In the developing world countries suchfaster than wages making them even
as Indonesia and China mass producepoorer.
enough clothes to reach to the moon andYet starting wages in the factories
back every day, this routine productionresearched for War on Wants report were
and exploitation in the name of fashionas little as £8 a month, barely a
by major brands has increasingly comethird of the living wage. Even better
under fire as they continue to under paypaid sewing machine operators receive
staff, and offer no additional benefitsonly £16 a month, which equates to
while reaping huge profits from these5p an hour for the 80 hours they
suffering workers.regularly have to work each week. The
Ethical clothing guarantees that workersminimum wage for garment workers in
have not only been paid well but alsoBangladesh halved in real terms during
have access to a range of benefits fromthe 1990s, and many complain their pay
maternity leave and pensions tois too low to cover food, housing and
healthcare and education.health costs.
In December 06 War on Want published aPrimark, Tesco and Asda have also
reporting stating that mainly womenpledged that their suppliers must not be
workers in Bangladesh are regularlyrequired to work more than 48 hours a
working 80 hours a week for just 5p anweek on a regular basis which is the
hour, in potential death trap factories,same as the European Time Directive that
to produce cheap clothes for Britishapplies to UK workers. We are not forced
consumers for sale in retailers such asto work over 48 hours per week, why
Primark, Tesco and Asda.should they?
Primark, Tesco and Asda have all madeWorkers interviewed for War on Wants
public commitments to the payment of areport can toil up to 96 hours a week -
living wage to suppliers - commonlydouble the supposed maximum - and often
calculated to be a minimum £22 alose their day off and face the sack if
month in Bangladesh. I used to volunteerthey refuse.
as a teacher in Nepal which is next toThe choice appears simple, avoid dirt
Bangladesh and the primary schoolcheap clothes where possible and as the
teachers were paid around £40 perexcellent ethical campaign by Marks and
month. I know from experience that evenSpencers says ...look behind the label.



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