Why? If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that we’re all in it together.
CHEAP FACT
To attract foreign investment, Ethiopia touted the lowest base wage in any garment producing country - just $26 a month
Undoubtedly, the worst of the severe economic repercussions is that people have been plunged into unimaginable poverty, by demand being turned off at the tap. The big UK fashion brands are cancelling orders, breaking long-held contracts and millions in poorer countries are being laid off with no financial support at all, some not even able to afford to eat. It’s that serious.
Let’s set aside that that the fashion industry is the second highest contributor to carbon emissions. That apart - and that’s a BIG problem - it leaves us with one simple but often forsaken fact. We can only care for the world if we care for each other. Profit at all cost, means someone or something is suffering - it’s as simple as that.
Of course the system has to change, we need to change our buying habits, workers need proper pay, global trade has to be fair, poorer countries less dependent and more self-sufficient. But right now, not tomorrow …these people need us. We can’t sit by whilst companies try to mitigate their financial losses at the expense of human lives. We’ve all bought clothes on the high street, will we stand up for the people who made them?
What can we do to help?
Public opinion matters, let’s let the brands know we’re watching and hold them to account. TraidCraft Exchange the organisation for fair global trade are taking the helm, here’s all we need to do:
Sign your name here - takes 10 seconds
Have a look at the progress being made by high street brands in real time.
Thank you to our subscriber, Susan Holliday for alerting us to this week’s action.
Do you have something to add or share? Just post it in the comments below.
And…is there something you’re proud of, big or small, (courgettes planted, rubbish reduced…) Email us, so we can feature you on our Weekly Shout Out!
We…
Aimee: I feel closer to ‘humanity’ than ever before - we’re all in this together. The more we dig into the backstory of products, the more we see the human story behind them all and start to understand the full consequences of our choices. This is a no-brainer.
Sonia: The thing is once we see something, it’s impossible to un-see it. I need to buy a white Tshirt, but I haven’t yet…with even John Lewis not making the grade, I need to look at the truly ethical, sustainable brands, who look after their people and the earth. I can’t bear the thought of wearing another person’s (or the planet’s) suffering.
“Every decision, decides someone’s tomorrow”
Photo: Marcus Loke