Sun. Jul 20th, 2025

Inherent Dignity? Not In This Industry. — Ruth MacGilp



With a supply chain that spans throughout countless countries and communities, from the sourcing of raw materials and fibres and the spinning, weaving, dyeing and finishing of textiles, to the manufacturing of garments and finally distribution to both suppliers and then consumers, the process of fashion involves millions of people around the world. The incredibly extensive nature of the industry has become a powerful illustrative example of Globalisation. Fashion, a product and practice once derived from our pursuit of functionality, creativity and social expression, has become synonymous with human rights violations on a worldwide scale.

Certainly, garment manufacturing has not taken a sudden, dramatic downfall, as one journalist states, “The menial workforce has always been susceptible to exploitation, and for nearly a century, the garment industry’s sweatshops have acted as de facto laboratories for a variety of abuses and endangerment.” However, the elements of Globalisation – easier trade, advances in technology, reduced transport costs – have collectively enabled labour-intensive industries, such as garment manufacturing, to access low-cost labour markets, typically found in Developing Countries. We have seen this lead to the internationalisation of fashion supply chains at an astonishing speed, for which many Developing Countries cannot, have not, or choose not to, prepare for in terms of their own human rights governance and protection.

At this stage, we understand the changes that have happened which have allowed businesses and their supply chains to go global. Now, we need to come back to #WhoMadeMyClothes. Transnational Corporations are commonly found to undermine human rights in four broad ways. First, and arguably the most recurring across many developing countries, is the driving down of employment standards and labour protection measures. Considering the increasing ability to outsource parts of supply chains to areas with lower work standards, businesses are known to use strategy and tactics to exploit a ‘more profitable’ workforce. Second, corporations can purposefully move into corrupt or undemocratic countries to undermine local workers’ rights, and have been accused of collusion with these regimes, some of which systematically imprison, torture and kill opposition groups, including trade unionists. Third, corporations have taken unethical, unsafe routes to profitability in countries with weaker or flawed regulations, through actions such as bribery or detrimental obstruction of local community’s health necessities. Finally, many international businesses are accused of practices that cause environmental damage, impacting local and indigenous communities land, food and water.

Sadly, we watch fast fashion brands tick each of these boxes almost constantly. How is this fair? How does it continue? And, how is it legal? This is the really important point. There is, astoundingly, no international regime of human rights law governing the transnational activities of corporations. And thus, corporations continue to exploit, damage and harm, violating the universal and inalienable rights inherent to all, while avoiding direct legal accountability and responsibility.

Related Post

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *