What are some exploitative practices that we find in the garment industry?? Why would companies send their factories overseas if they treat their workers so poorly and why would consumers still purchase from these companies?? How do consumers and garment workers benefit from the garment industry?? Do garment workers benefit at all?? What are possible solutions to protect workers/better the garment industry?? 2500898f49afd9cb013db0883ac0702.pngcbb18bdd80061d3de9f36d9dc09724f.png92a21e19f5e2385eaa2ed011137f3d7.pngf72b6bb6d8718af3d5d334bcddfdc77.pnga0b48f8b54882fe532233c8c2ef2734.png88e41afe312c84bb9d3e1401f1078a9.png0070ce94869e97a83a9fc781e3648f9.png8f02fc403c785

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What are some exploitative practices that we find in the garment industry?

Introduction

As a consumer, you have the power to make a difference. Every time you purchase an item of clothing from a big name brand and don’t ask questions about where it came from or who made it, you are supporting these exploitative practices.

Sweatshops

Sweatshops are factories where workers are paid low wages, work long hours and have few rights. They’re often located in foreign countries, but also can be found in the garment industry.

The exploitation of workers is a major problem in the garment industry—and it’s not just happening to people who make clothes!

Child labor

Child labor is illegal in the United States, regardless of age.

Children should not be working at all and certainly not in the garment industry. Children are not capable of making good decisions, understanding the consequences of their actions and thinking long term (or even short term). They also do not have any experience with work or money management; so they have no idea how much they can spend on what items and services when they’re working as young adults. This makes it easy for abusive employers to take advantage of them financially if they want too!

Forced labor

In the garment industry, forced labor is often used to produce clothing that is sold at a low price. The workers who make these products are often paid very little and have no rights to the products they create. This means that they cannot leave their jobs without losing their ability to feed themselves or pay rent, which can lead them into debt slavery.

This type of exploitation has been happening for years in factories all over the world, including South Korea and China (which accounts for some of our most popular sweatshop brands). However it’s not just limited there; it happens everywhere—even right here in America!

Violent labor practices

Violence against workers is a serious problem in many parts of the world. In Cambodia, garment workers were routinely subjected to physical violence, including rape and assault. They also faced conditions that led to high rates of work-related injuries and illnesses.

In Bangladesh, some factory owners used intimidation tactics against union leaders trying to organize their workforce; they would threaten unions with violence if they tried organizing efforts at their plants or offices. Workers who spoke out against these abuses faced reprisals from management and even death threats—and often had no legal recourse otherwise available for protection under international labor laws (ILO).

Bonded labor

Bonded labor is a form of exploitation that involves the use of forced labor. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), bonded laborers are people who have been paid for their work or services but cannot leave because they have little to no financial resources and reliance on their employers for food, shelter, and other basic needs. They are often unable to leave because they’re obligated by law not to do so under threat from their employer or family members if they try. The ILO estimates that around 18 million people globally are in some type of bonded labor situation; however, most cases go unreported due to fear among victims who don’t know where else they can turn for help.

Underpaying workers

Underpaying workers happens when employers pay their employees less than the minimum wage. This can be done in several ways:

Paying them below the legal minimum wage set by law.

Paying a lower amount than what is owed to them under their contract or agreement with a company.

Using other methods that make it difficult for workers to earn their full rate of pay, such as delaying payment or refusing to provide proper documents necessary for payment (such as proof of age).

These practices are exploited by garment companies to keep their costs low and profit margins high.

Exploitation is a form of abuse. It’s used to describe the use of child labor, forced labor or bonded labor. Exploitation can also describe the underpaying of workers and unpaid overtime. In some cases, garment companies will use exploitative practices as a means to keep their costs low and profit margins high – which means that workers have little bargaining power in negotiations with these companies.

Conclusion

The garment industry is a complex one, but we hope these examples have given you an idea of what types of exploitation are likely taking place in the industry. It’s important to remember that these issues aren’t just limited to factory workers—they can be found in any workplace, no matter how small or large. If you find yourself doing something related to this article, then it might be time to take a closer look at your workplace practices and make sure they don’t contribute toward any exploitative practices!