Ethically Responsible Clothing On The Rise In Supermarkets
It is very common for workers to hide or cover up the original conditions of their work from people. Workers at Tesco and Asda do the same thing just because they are scared of getting fired. After investigating the factories that produce low cost goods for supermarkets, it was discovered that the workers are treated with inequity and not provided with good working rumeneration.
Through investigation, it was discovered that the reduction in prices of clothes by Tesco, for 700 clothes affected the workers even. This is because when the giants of the market, like Tesco and Asda, reduce prices, the burden comes on to the suppliers, who then put immense pressure on their workers, and treat them badly. These major giants have huge buying power, as per the representative of Clean Clothes Campaign in UK, Sam Maher states, that they can really help in improving the working condition of the labours. All falls upon the workers who merely want to survive, and have to deal with the pressure.
Around 30 major supplying factories, who manufacture supplies for Walmart (Asda), Tesco, Carrefore, Lidl and Aldi, were investigated which included India, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Sri Lanka. Around 440 workers were interviewed out of all these factories, and most of them claimed they had to work over time, and were not paid for the extra hours most of the times. They were not allowed to take any leave, or be absent for holidays, or else they would lose their jobs.
After the research, the brands were negatively publicised and hence, Tesco and Asda, have decided to do something about it. Tesco has come out with its own ethical line. Asda is now selling fair-trade T-shirts.
Tesco approached Isobel Davies the founder of Izzy Lane. Davies tends to a flock of sheep, and she uses their wool to design a range of skirts, jackets, and coats. It is revolutionary that Tesco came up to her, and are serious about making ethical clothing. Although one of the setbacks would definitely be the high prices, because clothes by Izzy Lane are stunningly beautiful, but caring for the sheep is quite costly. It takes wool from the whole flock to make just one skirt.
This major rise is a result of the consumer being aware about ethical clothes, and forced the supermarket, suppliers, and retailers to abide by the customer demand. Although ethically responsible clothes are expensive than the other clothes, customers do not mind spending their money on them.
This is undoubtedly because of the fact that supermarkets, retailers, and independent stores alike are driven by customer demand. Consumers have become aware, and they prefer to buy reasonably priced products rather than cheap products.
Around 26 different styles will be introduced for women and 15 for men in 2010. They will hire people to make the clothes from India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
Sarah J Jones is a fashion designer. Now you can buy new and stylish Linen Tops with good quality at half price now at her recommended website at http://www.saharalondon.com.