A fashion victim? This lesson, we’ll see how some of our clothes are made by exploiting people in poorer countries

Many companies make their clothes in factories in LEDCs, as you can see from the box. This lesson, we will look at an example of someone who works in one of these factories.

This is Rosa. She sews clothing in a factory in Manila in the Philippines. As you can see, she lives in very poor conditions. This is her story…

RosaRosa is just one of many… Over half the clothing in UK shops is sewn by girls like Rosa in LEDCs. Many are from rural areas, with little education. Not all the clothes factories are bad. In fact, some are more modern than UK factories. But there are many sweatshops, like Rosa’s, where young women work in poor conditions, for very low pay. If the factory has no orders, they get no pay at all. They can be sacked without any notice.sweatshops

How does it happen?

Shoppers have found out about sweatshops, and many have protested. Nike and other clothing companies now say they inspect all the factories they use, to make sure the workers are treated okay. But many thousands like Rosa are still being exploited – all in the name of fashion.Nike

1a. Watch this clip. What do you think it is saying about the fashion industry?clip

Question 1b 1. What would happen if a. the factory owner refused to work for Nike? b. the factory owner increased his workers’ pay? c. the workers went on strike? d. the customers didn’t like the new clothing? e. the government of the LEDC passed a law that factories there must pay higher wages? f. customers refused to buy from Nike because of the sweatshops? g. Nike forced the factories to pay their workers more?

Question 2 Do you think Rosa is being exploited? If so, who is exploiting her? Explain your answer. N.B. exploit – to make use of someone in an unfair way, for profit.

Question 3