Business Leaders

FAST FASHION, CHEAP FASHION

“In the UK, the price of fashion has steadily been getting lower. Women’s clothing prices have fallen by about a third in the last ten years. People are buying a third more clothes now than they were 4 years ago. While there used to be one summer and one winter collection a year, fashion houses now offer up to 18 collections a year.” Development and Co-operation International Journal Vol 33, Oct 2006

“Last year the deadlines were about 90 days… [This year] the deadlines for delivery are about 60 days. Sometimes even 45… They have drastically come down.” Sri Lankan factory owner interviewed by Oxfam

Fast isn’t free – someone somewhere is paying.
Kate Fletcher, p.175 Eco Chic 2007, Matilda Lee

“We work from 8 am till noon. After lunch we work from 1 to 5 pm. We do overtime every day, from 5.30 pm. During the peak season, we work until 2 or 3 am.” Phan (22) machinist in a Thai garment factory

In 2006 the minimum wage in Bangladesh had not been raised since 1994. It is now equivalent to £7.16 a month – two and half times less than its value of £18 in 1994… The price of essential commodities- like rice, sugar, cooking oil and water– has risen by 200 per cent, (making it) virtually impossible for workers to support their families”.

Ethical Trading Initiative

Hourly wages in the clothing industry (US$ per hour) : Pakistan 0.23, Sri Lanka 0.57, India 0.71, China 0.86, Mexico 1.75 Hong
Kong 5.13, Germany 10.03, USA 11.16 (Source: ILO 2003)

1.2 million tons of clothing went to landfi ll in 2005 in the UK alone. (DEFRA 2007)