Fair Trade in Fashion In recent times fashion manufacturing has moved out of the western countries and into the East, where labour is cheaper and workers are abundant. This is undoubtedly better for the consumers in the west, but is it better for the manufacturers? The main reason that companies such as Nike have moved their manufacturing centres out to places like China is because of cheaper labour. The minimum wage that is paid to most factory workers in China for a whole months work is just £6. In a country like England, this would just pay for just an hours work. Although this may not be as low as it may seem however, as the cost of living in China is far, far lower the fact that the factory employees only get 5% of the overall profit cannot be ignored. Even if this seems like a reasonable amount of money to them, this does not mean they should be paid it. It seems obvious that the people who have done the most work out of everyone in the production and selling of the product should get the most money at the end. Many people come to factories in hope of making enough money to sustain themselves and still send money home to keep the youngest and eldest members of their family. However it nearly always seems to be the case that the workers only ever have enough to barely sustain themselves. Workers are also expected to work in the worst of conditions, the condition are often cramped, wet, humid and the workers are forced to stand while they work. Workers aren’t even allowed unions to appeal for their basic human rights, such as reasonable working hours and not to be forced to work over-time and to be allowed sick-leave. They can’t even appeal themselves, as they often don’t know about the rights that they do have and if they do, they don’t know how to go about making sure that the companies follow them as they workers could never afford lawyers. Workers are also worried about losing their jobs, as people who complain are usually sacked, this doesn’t affect the companies as many people are willing to take their place. Workers are also afraid to complain in numbers as large companies can always move their factory to another area. However, it has to be remembered that companies provide employment to the people who need it most, such as people who live in China and Indonesia. The wages that these people earn also brings money into the local economy, therefore creating more jobs, such as shop work. Another plus is that some large companies such as Nike can provide money to charities who work to improve peoples lives in other areas such as poor black communities in the US. Some Companies such as Gap and Nike promise not to use child labour in the factories, even though evidence of it has been found, Nike and the GAP promise that they do their best to stop it and if it is found that they wills stop it at once. In recent times people in the Western world have become much more aware of these issues and refused to buy products from companies who treat their workers poorly. This has forced the TNCs to allow independent monitors into their factories to ensure that they don’t employ children. In response to this ethical demand, organisations such as the Fairtrade group have been formed. Many people now will only buy products that have been certified as being made in a way that is fair to everyone in the production chain. There has also been concern that a reliance on cheap labour abroad causes factory closure in richer countries such as the United Kingdom and the USA. However this is something to be said for cheaper labour as it allows the production of cheaper clothes. This helps poorer families in both MEDCs and LEDCs get clothes that they would not normally be able to afford.