Consumer guide

Social issues

Child and slave labor are two of the main issues that enrages the public and large companies have felt the wrath of consumers who have discovered why their clothes were actually so cheaply produced. Do you know the difference between living wages and minimum wages? And should child labor always be forbidden?

As a consequence of the fact that we have moved so much of the textile sector to China, India and other countries with even cheaper manpower; it is important to have in mind a few other things than social responsibility, based on different mind-sets and cultural values. . It is often said that there is no inspector or no certificate that cannot be bought in many of these production countries. Some would go so far as to claim that you cannot trust any of the certificates which originate from China, India or many of the other neighbouring countries.

Those looking for lower prices, are going to countries where guidelines are less stringent 

"There will never be enough inspectors to control the business highway,” according to Law professor Joel Bakan from the University of British Colombia. But things are changing quickly, especially in China, but also in India – one reason being the scrutiny from the West after scandals with sub-contractors. This has resulted in a price-hike as factories face more government scrutiny on water usage and treatment, energy consumption and recycling, and new labor agreements that have given workers more rights and protections. Those looking for lower prices, are going to countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam, where guidelines are less stringent.

The UN has made guidelines for work suitable for children at different ages. The definitions are:
– Light work (pocket money): 13 years in developed countries, 12 years in undeveloped countries.
– Normal non-dangerous work: 15 years in developed countries, 14 years in undeveloped countries.
– Dangerous work: 18 years in both developed and undeveloped countries.

Save the Children in Denmark, has added the following in their Toolkit for companies.
It is acceptable for children age 12 – 18 to work provided:
Children are not subjected to exploitative and dangerous work
The work of children is continually monitored
The workplace is safe and special consideration is given
Children are given proper training and instruction
Work hours are limited
Work is flexible
Work actively enables children going to school and receiving vocational training.

When it comes to minimum wages, as opposed to living wages; the former is the national set minimum wage - which may be way below what a person needs to cover the most basic costs. The textile industry is notorious for hiring unskilled workers, often young women, with no contracts. The Swedish company Dem Collection did an interesting excercise when they started up production in Indonesia: They asked the workers what wages they needed in order to cover their basic living costs.