Child Labour in The Fashion Industry

Child Labour affect the Fashion Industry
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Introduction
Only the petroleum business generates more pollutants than the clothing sector. Fast
fashion leads to excessive dumping of clothing pieces as customers try to stay on the same page
with current trends and the clothes have short lifespan. Therefore, this industry is faced with
challenges in ensuring sustainability. When the entire quick-fashion logistical process is
considered, from the gathering of initial components to the finished product's disposal, this sector
is shown to be responsible for 10% of the world's total carbon footprint. The clothing sector is
notorious for taking advantage of its workforce, which is disproportionately comprised of
women and children. About 80% of the global forty million textile employees are women under
the age of thirty-five, as reported by the International Labor Organization 1. When such
inappropriate information is disclosed to the public, the firms lose reputation. Most of them are
paid much below the poverty line and are required to work inhumanely long hours 2. Women in
the textile industry often lack access to basic amenities like toilets and showers. The fast-fashion
industry struggles to get appropriate textiles and components for the unique designs they dream
up.
So, it is on them to find an entity that can make clothing from those textiles at an
affordable price. After production, these items must be shipped to retailers in every region of the
world. Creating a line of clothing requires a significant investment of money upfront 3. After that,
the company has to sit on plenty of merchandise without comprehending how well the products
will retail. Insufficient insight into this intricate network causes several inefficiencies, which in
1
Reddy, Krishna. “Top 28 Companies That Use Child Labor Still! - Wisestep.” Wisestep, June 21, 2017.
https://content.wisestep.com/companies-use-child-labor/
2
Somani, Vishakha. “5 Common Problems Faced by the Fashion Industry.” World Fashion Exchange (WFX.com), March 25,
2022. https://www.worldfashionexchange.com/blog/5-common-problems-faced-by-the-fashion-industry-with-solutions/
3
International Labour Organization. "C182–Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182)." (1999).
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turn cause items to be brought to the marketplace late and, therefore, underperform4. The
meaning of child servitude, the reasons the fast Fashion sector employs children, the widespread
abuse of kids, well-known brands that engage in child labour, possible responses to the
challenge, and tips for determining if a company exploits children in any stage of its logistics
network or production are all covered in this article.
Definition of Child Labour
Not all job duties performed by juveniles should be considered child labour. It is typically
seen as a good thing when kids and teens who are older than the legal working age participate in
productive labour that does not compromise their health or well-being or get in the way of their
academic progress. This comprises helping out with the family company after classes and on
weekends, as well as taking on additional work during the summer months 5. Childhood
extracurricular practices like these help kids grow up healthy and strong, benefit their
households, and position them for success as contributing adults in the world. Child servitude is
typically characterized as activities that are detrimental to a child's psychological and physical
growth, as well as those that rob them of their energy, opportunities, and humanity 6. The term
"child labour" is used to describe situations in which children are subjected to work that poses
significant risks to their health and safety, both psychologically and physically, as well as
socially and ethically, and which prevents them from completing their education.
The definition of child labour changes depending on the developmental stage of the kid,
the nature of the activity, the number of hours spent on it, the quality of the working
circumstances, and the goals of the country in question. The response differs from one nation to
4
Moulds, Josephine. “Child Labour in the Fashion Supply Chain Where, Why and What Can Be Done.” The Guardian Labs -
Sponsored by UNICEF, 2023. https://labs.theguardian.com/unicef-child-labour/
5
Ibid International Labour Organization. "C182–Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182)." (1999).
6
ILO. “Child Labour in Cotton: A Briefing; International Law and Policy Institute (2015) Child Labour in the Indian
Cottonseed Sector, 2016.”
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the next and even from one industry to the next within a single nation 7. Slavery, separation from
families, exposure to dangerous risks and diseases, or abandonment on the streets of major
metropolitan areas at young ages are all examples of the most dangerous factors leading to child
labour. While there are many kinds of child labour, the worst forms must be eradicated as soon
as possible in accordance with Article 3 of ILO Convention No. 182 8. The use, procurement, or
exposing of a kid to sexual slavery for the making of sexually explicit content or sexually
explicit performances; the use, acquisition, or rendering of a pre-schooler for illegal purposes,
particularly for the fabrication and trafficking of narcotics and all other forms of forced labour or
operations resembling enslavement, such as buying and selling of kids, debt servitude and forced
labour, and compelled work are unlawful9.
Reasons Behind Use of Child Labour in Fast Fashion Industry
Children Provide Cheaper Labour
Despite being illegal in most nations, child labour is common in the planet's
impoverished communities. The International Labour Organization projects that 170 million
children are working, with many of them producing textiles and clothes to meet the demand of
customers in Europe, the United States, and elsewhere 10. People are seeing positive changes.
Although the ILO reports a 30% drop in child labour from 2000 to 2012, 11% of kids worldwide
are still living in conditions that prevent them from getting an education without interruption 11.
Most of these children are employed in the textile and clothing industry, where they help meet
7
Baland, J. & Robinson J. (2000) Is child labor inefficient? Journal of Political Economy,108, 663-679
8
International Labour Organization. "C182–Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182)." (1999).
9
Ravallion, M & Wodon, Q., “Does child labour displace schooling? Evidence on behavioural responses to an enrollment
subsidy. Economic Journal, 110, C158-C175, 2000”.
10
Ibid Moulds, Josephine. “Child Labour in the Fashion Supply Chain Where, Why and What Can Be Done.” The Guardian
Labs - Sponsored by UNICEF, 2023. https://labs.theguardian.com/unicef-child-labour/
11
Ibid Reddy, Krishna. “Top 28 Companies That Use Child Labor Still! - Wisestep.” Wisestep, June 21, 2017.
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the high demand from shoppers in the West 12. With the rise of fast fashion, businesses have been
compelled to look for lower and cheaper ways to staff their factories 13. Many of the nations
where textiles and clothing are manufactured have abundant supplies of low-cost labour. Stop
Child Labour's worldwide campaign organizer, Sofie Ovaa, claims that many young women in
developing nations like India and Bangladesh are excited to work for little money and may be
easily lured into exploitative sectors like garment manufacturing and domestic servitude by the
promise of higher pay.
Poor Children Have no Options to Pursue
Hiring managers in southern India persuade families in poor countryside regions to bring
their children to textile factories by promising them a high salary, decent living conditions, three
complete meals daily, the chance to further their education, and a one-time payment after three
years. This is according to a new study published by the Centre for Research on Multinational
Corporations (SOMO) and the India Committee of the Netherlands (ICN) 14. The results of their
investigations in the real world prove that the children are, in fact, subjected to working
circumstances that are inhumane, even by the standards of contemporary servitude and the
lowest standards of child labour15. Since a significant portion of the fashion industry's supply
chain relies on low-skilled personnel, and some of these jobs are more appropriate for kids than
for older individuals, child labour is a serious problem in the industry 16. Companies favour hiring
youngsters for harvesting cotton since their little fingers cause less damage to the plant.
12
13
Ibid Baland, J. & Robinson J. (2000) Is child labor inefficient? Journal of Political Economy,108, 663-679
14
Ibid Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO). “Branded Childhood: How garment brands contribute to
low wages, long working hours, school dropout and child labour in Bangladesh, 2017.”
15
Nifong, C. “No Sweat Pact to Cut Garment Worker Abuse. New York, The Christian Science Monitor, 1997.”
16
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Teenagers are viewed as compliant employees because they are able to operate beneath the
spotlight.
Children Have no Voice over Supervisors
The lack of labour organizations and other forms of societal authority, according to Ovaa,
makes it difficult for workers to negotiate for better workplace conditions. These individuals are
inadequately skilled and powerless in the workplace 17. Because of the enormous complexity of
the fashion logistical network, companies are able to get away with child labour. As a result,
major companies and customers will not know that youngsters are working for them 18. From the
cultivation of cotton kernels in Benin to its extraction in Uzbekistan, starting with the milling of
fibre in India to its final assembly in Bangladeshi manufacturing facilities, children are involved
in every step of the clothing sector's supply chain19.
Exploitation of Children in Fast Fashion Sector
Exploitation of Children in Cotton Farms
To move pollen grains from one crop to another, the cotton cultivation sector frequently
uses children. They frequently are paid less than the minimum wages, perform for extended
periods, and are frequently exposed to harmful chemicals. Children are reportedly working for
extended periods planting cotton in the springtime and gardening throughout the summer in
underdeveloped nations where cotton is one of the principal crops 20. Child labour is widespread
in every stage of the process, at the knitting and churning factories. Sixty percent of employees at
the factories SOMO studied in India were below the age of eighteen at the time they were hired,
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18
19
20
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with the youngest employee being only fifteen years old 21. The "cut-make-trim" step, in which
garments are assembled, also employs children22. Children work in clothing factories doing
everything from dying clothes to stitching on buttons to trimming and clipping strands to folding,
transporting, and packaging23. Children are forced to embellish, sequin, and smock (make pleats)
at tiny workplaces and residential settings.
Taking Advantage of the Supply Chain Complexity
The complicated nature of the fashion industry's logistics network is one of the main
obstacles to eliminating child labour in the industry. Although many companies have restrictions
for their suppliers, it is common practice for work to be assigned to other manufacturers,
frequently without the knowledge of the customer. Ovaa claims that the corporations in the US
and EU that buy their fabrics have no idea where they are made 24. Perhaps they are familiar with
their initial source, and perhaps there are even norms of behaviour in place; yet, as the chain
progresses down its lowest layers, it becomes increasingly impossible to trace the origin of the
cotton. The fact that child labour is really a symptom of deeper issues only adds to the difficulty
of addressing it25. When there is a lack of money, there will be youngsters who are eager to
labour for less, making them easy prey for exploitative employers. According to Lotte
Schuurman of the Fair Wear Foundation, if guardians do not go to school, they are more likely to
take low-paying jobs, which in turn forces their children to work when they should be in school,
preventing them from breaking the cycle of poverty that keeps them there.
21
22
Uzbek-German Forum for Human Rights. “Forced Labor in Uzbekistan’s Cotton Sector, 2016”.
23
Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO). “Branded Childhood: How garment brands contribute to low
wages, long working hours, school dropout and child labour in Bangladesh, 2017.”
24
25
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Despite the widespread notion that child labour is no longer an issue in the fashion
industry and sweatshops, many outsiders disagree 26. Child labour is a major social issue
everywhere, including in the fast fashion sector. The fashion industry in numerous nations is
plagued by issues related to the use of child labour. Beadwork, T-shirt embroidery, accessory
creation, and many more are only some of the various fashion-related tasks that these folks
perform in the cotton plantations, ginnery, and high-street clothing business27. According to
studies, the low pay children get in apparel manufacturing (around a third of the salaries that
adults earn for identical or equivalent work) is a key contributor to the prevalence of child labour
in this sector. Consumers' insistence on low prices and little overhead contributes to this
problem, as does the drive of businesses to maximise profits. Child work has been linked to
economic practises that leave families without the means to provide for their children. In such a
situation, kids might have to work long hours to help out with the groceries.
Given that many nations are reluctant to disclose information regarding the number of
children in their populations who are deemed to be subjected to inappropriate labour
circumstances, it may be challenging to provide an exact estimate of the proportion of children
who are working for a livelihood28. However, projections suggest that almost 200 million
youngsters between the ages of 4 and 14 and another 140 million between the ages of 15 and 17
are engaged in hazardous financial activities throughout the globe29. About half of these kids are
forced to labour in potentially dangerous conditions. Several countries have invested much in the
creation of a wide range of programmes to combat the prevalence of child labour in the fast
26
Wilson, D. “Fashion Industry Forum. Economic Journal, 101, C138-C155, 1997.”
27
Ibid Wilson, D. “Fashion Industry Forum. Economic Journal, 101, C138-C155, 1997.”
28
ILO. “Child Labour in Cotton: A Briefing; International Law and Policy Institute (2015) Child Labour in the Indian
Cottonseed Sector, 2016.”
29
Bhukuth, A. “Defining child labour: a controversial debate. Development in Practice, 18, 385-394, 2008.”
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fashion business30. Many third-world nations, for instance, have implemented programmes to get
kids out of factories and back into classrooms, all while spreading the word that child labour is
wrong and that kids deserve an enjoyable childhood, too31.
Famous Fast Fashion Brands Using Child Labour
BBC's investigation into UK clothing retailer Primark revealed some of the company's
most alarming behaviours. The Primark affiliates employed underage labour and paid illegal
immigrants minimal salaries to keep them in the UK, according to the investigation 32. Firestone
faced allegations of exploiting its employees in Liberia by forcing them to bring young people to
work if they did not meet output quotas or risk having their pay reduced in half 33. Because of this
information, the Firestone Company was targeted by protesters all around the globe 34. State law
forbids anyone below the age of 18 from being employed in such manufacturing plants. Still, in
2008, Iowa's Labour Commissioner David Neil asserted the Ministry of labour discovered that
farmland merchandise processing enterprises had hired approximately sixty minors, starting at 14
years old, for positions in the production plants.
Primark's cheap apparel is made in labour camps. A wave of customer boycotts has hit
Primark, but the company continues to grow. Primark has a chequered past when it comes to
allegations of child labour and other forms of modern slavery. This firm does not exercise
sufficient control over its supplier base to avert civil rights breaches, such as the exploitation of
child labour. They are not forthcoming enough about their efforts to make their factories safer for
workers. Because of their history of employing underage labour, Uniqlo is included on this
30
Ibid Nifong, C. “No Sweat Pact to Cut Garment Worker Abuse. New York, The Christian Science Monitor, 1997.”
31
Knoebel, E., “The Modern World. Orlando, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1988”.
32
Assoune, Alex. “13 Fashion Brands That Still Use Sweatshops in 2023.” Panaprium. Panaprium, March 15, 2020.
https://www.panaprium.com/blogs/i/fashion-brands-that-still-use-sweatshops
33
Reddy, Krishna. “Top 28 Companies That Use Child Labor Still! - Wisestep.” Wisestep, June 21, 2017.
34
Ibid Bhukuth, A. “Defining child labour: a controversial debate. Development in Practice, 18, 385-394, 2008.”
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shameful list. They currently produce their wares in emerging Asian nations by use of forced
labour35. The corporation relies on exploitative child labour in the developing economies of
Bangladesh, Indonesia, and China36. Uniqlo lacks concern in the slightest that the United Nations
has guidelines for businesses to avoid, confront, and redress civil rights abuses perpetrated in its
supply networks.
ASOS employs children to work in its factories in Turkey and uses assembly lines
reminiscent of those found in sweatshops. The audits that ASOS performs to combat forced
labour are not nearly thorough enough. ASOS does not provide any information on its primary
suppliers and has made minimal advancement in paying its workers a fair salary 37. Forever 21, a
Los Angeles-based fast-fashion shop, is embroiled in yet another controversy. Forever 21 has
received widespread backlash from consumers due to the company's exploitation of sweatshops.
One-third of Forever 21's apparel is produced domestically 38. However, they are presently being
criticised for running factories that resemble sweatshops, paying employees below minimum
wage, and not compensating employees for overtime. In Uzbekistan, youngsters work for
Forever 21 in cotton fields. When kids are forced to labour on farms instead of attending school,
their education suffers.
It is well known that GAP formerly employed children as factory workers. Manufacturers
in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka are still using sweatshop conditions to
produce GAP brand goods. Although GAP is becoming more open, reports of brutal abuse
towards employees continue to surface. Since workers at GAP have no organisation privileges,
35
Ibid Assoune, Alex. “13 Fashion Brands That Still Use Sweatshops in 2023.” Panaprium. Panaprium, March 15, 2020.
36
37
38
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work over sixteen hours daily, and are paid less than half the hourly rate in India, they keep
fighting the company. Unfortunately, sexual and physical assault of young women continues to
occur at GAP workplaces. H&M continues to manufacture its goods under sweatshop conditions.
Despite the company's best efforts, H&M is still not able to provide its workers with a decent
wage. The company has also been involved in a number of controversies. Bangladeshi garment
production facility employees are subjected to abusive working conditions in order to produce
H&M products. And younger people in Myanmar still serve as their labour force.
Similarly, it has been discovered that Nike, a global American company that creates,
produces, and sells sneakers, garments, equipment, and peripherals globally, still tolerates child
labour, in violation of the employment law. Throughout decades, Nike has been condemned
repeatedly for using underage labour. They are the most successful active-wear company in the
world, but they got there by engaging in several immoral practises 39. Labour rights specialists do
not conduct random audits of many Nike manufacturing facilities. Nike does not value their
employees very well. Nike's continued promotion of sexism and mistreatment in the workplace
is really troubling. They do not feel accountable for the daily constitutional breaches that occur
in their workplaces.
Urban Outfitters and Zara are two more brands exposed as current or former users of
child labour. The facility where Urban Outfitters' clothes are made is run like a typical
sweatshop. In order to increase their profitability, they continue to pay their employees
low wages and provide unsafe workplace conditions40. There have been other historical cases of
controversy with Urban Outfitters and child labour. Urban Outfitters continues to engage in
39
40
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wasteful practises and provide insufficient data to back up its claims on its positive economic
and ecological effect. Urban Outfitters cotton plantations and processing facilities have been
accused of allowing child labour, sexual exploitation, and physical violence 41. In the past, Zara
operated slavery-like plants in Istanbul, Turkey, where individuals were exploited and often not
compensated. There have been reports of contemporary servitude and child exploitation at Zara
plants in Brazil42. With increased openness and worker development programmes, Zara is
showing it is concerned about its suppliers. However, the company does not provide a decent
salary for workers in any of its supply chains.
Solutions to Child Labour in Fast Fashion
Introduction to the IPEC
The International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) remains at the
forefront of the fight to end child labour in every segment of the economy. IPEC's mission is to
end the worst kinds of child labour throughout the globe as soon as possible. IPEC has been
working towards this goal since its inception in 1992 43. It does this by engaging in public
education and mobilisation aimed at transforming public perceptions and promoting acceptance
and successful execution of the ILO child labour Protocols, as well as using country-based
initiatives that foster legislative change, establish institutional ability, and put into effect practical
steps that eliminate child labour44. Numerous thousands of kids have been pulled out of labour
and either reformed or banned from ever working again courtesy of these initiatives 45. In-depth
41
42
43
44
ILO. “International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) >What Is Child Labour > Action against Child
Labour.” International Labour Organization, 2020. https://www.ilo.org/ipec/facts/lang--en/index.htm
45
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quantitative and qualitative research, regulation and legal reviews, programme assessment, and
tracking of juvenile labour have complemented this advocacy effort at all times, allowing for the
build-up of an extensive repository of statistical findings and approaches, topical experiments,
good practices, standards, and educational resources.
Child Labour Monitoring
Routine inspections of potential workplaces where underage girls and boys may be
employed are an effective measure for combating child labour. The approach of implementing
and effectively coordinating this surveillance of child labour is known as child labour monitoring
(CLM)46. The overarching goal is to guarantee that underage and legitimate young employees are
protected from mistreatment and unsafe working conditions. A referral mechanism that connects
former child workers with the necessary assistance facilitates active monitoring of child
employment on a local level47. In practice, CLM entails the creation of a synchronised multi-
sector inspection and reporting procedure that seeks to serve all children in a specific
geographical region in order to identify, refer, safeguard, and ward off kids from working 48. Its
primary functions include conducting personal inspections on kids, working regularly to discover
them and the potential hazards to which they are subjected, referring them to solutions,
confirming that they were successfully removed, and following up with them to ensure they have
adequate choices.
Industrial Labour Inspections
To combat the exploitation of children, IPEC strengthens the capabilities of labour
inspection organisations and other regulatory bodies to address issues, including child labour in
46
Ibid ILO. “International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) >What Is Child Labour > Action against
Child Labour.” International Labour Organization, 2020. https://www.ilo.org/ipec/facts/lang--en/index.htm
47
Venkateswarlu, D. “Stop Child Labour Coalition and India Committee of the Netherlands Cotton’s Forgotten Children,
2015.”
48
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dangerous conditions and child exploitation tracking 49. The auditors of working conditions have
historically played an important role in the fight against child labour. The emergence of new
legal frameworks, like the ILO Convention 182 on Worst instances of child labour, has given
their job further scope and significance. In order to combat unsafe child labour, auditors can
provide details and advice to both companies and employees50. They can also utilise their
statutory enforcement authority to remove minors from potentially dangerous industries and
recommend them to the rightful authorities so that they can enrol for educational programmes or
get vocational education. Workers under the age of whatever is the legal working age in that
nation are also fully safeguarded from harm in the workplace 51. Enhancements to occupational
health and safety as a whole and the elimination of potentially dangerous occupations for
children are necessary to guarantee their safety.
Significance of CLM and Labour Inspection
Child Labour Monitoring (CLM) is a dynamic field that is intricately connected to the
implementation of domestic child labour laws. The primary objective of community-based
oversight is to facilitate the engagement and education of the public in the surveillance of child
work practises while establishing a connection between this surveillance endeavour and
municipal governments and official regulatory bodies, particularly labour inspections. This
linkage ensures that the information gathered on instances of child labour is utilised in a manner
that maximises its effectiveness. In order to effectively carry out their responsibilities, the
monitors must be endowed with a distinct mandate and the requisite power, despite the fact that a
49
50
ILO. “Baselines to Achieve SDG Target 8.7 2017 Global Estimates of Modern Slavery and Child Labour.” International
Labour Organization, March 15, 2017. https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/forced-labour/publications/WCMS_547398/lang--en/
index.htm
51
Ibid Venkateswarlu, D. “Stop Child Labour Coalition and India Committee of the Netherlands Cotton’s Forgotten Children,
2015.”
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significant portion of their function entails altering perspectives rather than executing legal
measures. The concept of CLM entails the establishment of an integrated and comprehensive
system for monitoring and referring children across several sectors. The primary objective is to
ensure the inclusion of all children residing within a certain geographic location 52. The primary
endeavours of this organisation encompass the systematic and recurrent undertaking of direct
observations in order to detect instances of child labour and assess the associated hazards to
which such kids are subjected53. Additionally, the organisation facilitates the transfer of these
minors to appropriate services, verifies their successful removal from exploitative situations, and,
after that, monitors their progress to ensure their well-being.
Community-based juvenile labour surveillance councils are commonly comprised of
individuals who hold positions of authority within the community, such as neighbourhood
leaders, educational professionals, healthcare advocates, as well as delegates from households
directly affected by child labour54. In certain cases, young people who have been removed from
work may also be included in these teams55. Inspection visits are conducted at various
companies. Return trips are frequently undertaken in tandem with formal inspections by
workplace auditors. In order to offer guidance to companies and employees, implement social
and labour policies, and oversee and uphold labour rules and regulations, the establishment of
efficient national workplace inspection mechanisms is needed. Labour examination is a
governmental obligation that serves as a public service. It is most effectively structured as a
comprehensive system operating within the framework of a broader administrative framework.
52
53
World Vision. “Forced and Child Labour in the Cotton Industry, 2012”.
54
55
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This approach aligns with the principles outlined in the ILO Conventions on workforce
evaluation, namely Convention No. 81 from 1947 and Convention No. 129 from 1969, which
specifically addresses workforce assessment in the agricultural industry.
Recognizing if a Brand is Using Child Labour
Unfortunately, and inadvertent to many, child labour is pervasive in the fast fashion
business. Traceability is difficult to achieve due to the complex nature of contemporary supply
chains. The rapid fashion model negatively impacts workplace conditions. Since this forces
businesses to look for cheaper and cheaper workers, it is no surprise that child labour is an issue
in the fast fashion industry56. The apparel and fabric business employs children throughout the
whole production process. Everything from picking cotton to making yarn to cutting, sewing,
and finishing garments57. Children enter the workforce to meet the need for cheap, low-
expertise labour in worldwide supply networks, which is fuelled by the low costs of the fast
fashion sector. When adult workers make too little, they are unable to provide for their families,
and children are forced to work 58. The likelihood that a particular firm employs children is
directly proportional to whether or not its workers are paid reasonable salaries.
Inadequate compliance with employment and education rules, as well as an inadequate
level of educational opportunity, also play a role 59. It is conceivable that a business with
operations there is taking advantage of low-wage kid labourers. The complex nature of the
suppliers, sub-suppliers, and producers involved in the fast fashion industry makes for a lengthy
distribution network. Responsible apparel companies can more easily keep tabs on their primary
56
Ibid ILO. “Baselines to Achieve SDG Target 8.7 2017 Global Estimates of Modern Slavery and Child Labour.” International
Labour Organization, March 15, 2017. https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/forced-labour/publications/WCMS_547398/lang--en/
index.htm
57
Bell, jenny. “Help End Child Labour: 23 Brands Committed to Child Labour Free Clothing.” Good Maker Tales, 2021.
https://goodmakertales.com/child-labour-free-clothing/#:~:text=Full%20Transparency%20and%20Traceability,right%20back
%20to%20material%20production
58
59
Ibid Baland, J. & Robinson J. (2000) Is child labor inefficient? Journal of Political Economy,108, 663-679
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vendors. But sometimes manufacturers do work for companies without their knowledge 60. Child
work is much more of a problem deeper in the supply chain, in textile factories and cotton
plantations. A Code of Ethics is essential for every open and fast-fashion business. It is expected
that this will protect each of the ILO's Four Fundamental Freedoms 61. This involves ending child
labour as well as contemporary forms of slavery and compelled labour. Firms that make suitable
clothes should have an open inspection strategy that covers the entire supply chain, and the
findings of such inspections should be made public. Companies and their suppliers can both
benefit from having their actions and claims independently verified by a third party 62. Companies
lacking a public code of conduct, publicly available inspections, and independent auditors or
oversight are more likely to be seen as exploiting the low wages of children living in poverty.
Conclusion
The global fast fashion business is a major offender in the cycle of child labour because it
takes advantage of the poverty-stricken youth it employs at every point in the production
process. The need for low-cost labour, the absence of monitoring and transparency in supply
chains, and the difficult socioeconomic situations faced by families in low-income countries all
contribute to the emergence of this complicated problem. Children are frequently denied an
education and fundamental rights, making them a vulnerable and exploitable workforce. There is
a clear need for more openness and accountability in the fast fashion sector after some well-
known businesses were accused of using child labour. There is an immediate need for
60
61
62
Ibid Bell, jenny. “Help End Child Labour: 23 Brands Committed to Child Labour Free Clothing.” Good Maker Tales, 2021.
https://goodmakertales.com/child-labour-free-clothing/#:~:text=Full%20Transparency%20and%20Traceability,right%20back
%20to%20material%20production
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comprehensive, effective measures to end child labour in the fast fashion industry as a result of
these disclosures.
The International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) is only one of
several organisations that has made it its mission to end child labour via education, legislation,
and oversight. Key instruments for tracking and combating the exploitation of children in the
fashion industry include child labour monitoring, labour inspections, and community-based
surveillance committees. In addition, shoppers play a key role by buying from companies they
know using fair employment practises and promoting open communication. Companies'
adherence to International Labour Organisation norms and the elimination of child labour in
supply chains rely heavily on codes of conduct, public inspection techniques, and third-party
audits.
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Bibliography
Assoune, Alex. “13 Fashion Brands That Still Use Sweatshops in 2023.” Panaprium. Panaprium,
March 15, 2020. https://www.panaprium.com/blogs/i/fashion-brands-that-still-use-
sweatshops
Baland, J. & Robinson J. (2000) Is child labor inefficient? Journal of Political Economy,108,
663-679.
Bell, jenny. “Help End Child Labour: 23 Brands Committed to Child Labour Free Clothing.”
Good Maker Tales, 2021.
https://goodmakertales.com/child-labour-free-clothing/#:~:text=Full%20Transparency
%20and%20Traceability,right%20back%20to%20material%20production
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Child Labour affect the Fashion Industry

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challenges in ensuring sustainability. When the entire quick-fashion logistical process is

notorious for taking advantage of its workforce, which is disproportionately comprised of

network or production are all covered in this article.

Definition of Child Labour

labour, and compelled work are unlawful9.

Reasons Behind Use of Child Labour in Fast Fashion Industry

Children Provide Cheaper Labour

promise of higher pay.

Poor Children Have no Options to Pursue

Children Have no Voice over Supervisors

in every step of the clothing sector's supply chain19.

Exploitation of Children in Fast Fashion Sector

Exploitation of Children in Cotton Farms

at tiny workplaces and residential settings.

Taking Advantage of the Supply Chain Complexity

children in their populations who are deemed to be subjected to inappropriate labour

circumstances, it may be challenging to provide an exact estimate of the proportion of children

wrong and that kids deserve an enjoyable childhood, too31.

Famous Fast Fashion Brands Using Child Labour

years old, for positions in the production plants.

their education suffers.

salary for workers in any of its supply chains.

Solutions to Child Labour in Fast Fashion

Introduction to the IPEC

build-up of an extensive repository of statistical findings and approaches, topical experiments,

good practices, standards, and educational resources.

Child Labour Monitoring

Industrial Labour Inspections

To combat the exploitation of children, IPEC strengthens the capabilities of labour

children are necessary to guarantee their safety.

Significance of CLM and Labour Inspection

implementation of domestic child labour laws. The primary objective of community-based

after that, monitors their progress to ensure their well-being.

Community-based juvenile labour surveillance councils are commonly comprised of

leaders, educational professionals, healthcare advocates, as well as delegates from households

efficient national workplace inspection mechanisms is needed. Labour examination is a

governmental obligation that serves as a public service. It is most effectively structured as a

comprehensive system operating within the framework of a broader administrative framework.

specifically addresses workforce assessment in the agricultural industry.

Recognizing if a Brand is Using Child Labour

Inadequate compliance with employment and education rules, as well as an inadequate

March 15, 2020. https://www.panaprium.com/blogs/i/fashion-brands-that-still-use-

Good Maker Tales, 2021.

Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO). “Branded Childhood: How

labour in Bangladesh, 2017.”

Labour.” International Labour Organization, March 15, 2017.

Labour in the Indian Cottonseed Sector, 2016.”

Done.” The Guardian Labs - Sponsored by UNICEF, 2023.

responses to an enrollment subsidy. Economic Journal, 110, C158-C175, 2000”.

21, 2017. https://content.wisestep.com/companies-use-child-labor/

Exchange (WFX.com), March 25, 2022. https://www.worldfashionexchange.com/blog/5-

Cotton’s Forgotten Children, 2015.”

Wilson, D. “Fashion Industry Forum. Economic Journal, 101, C138-C155, 1997.”

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