The fast fashion industry is undergoing criticism in recent years. This is partly due to the atrocious working conditions in the garment factories in South Asia and India, where a majority of women work for next to nothing. Often, according to Good On You, factories have poor ventilation and heat, lack of access to water, long hours, and chemical exposures. These conditions are unethical, yet the large fashion corporations responsible will not take action. Fashion companies need to take a stand for human rights by adequately supporting their garment workers.
Working in a garment factory comes with the threat of death, but almost all women have no other choice because they have a family to support. The abysmal three dollars a day wage keeps them impoverished and working for the garment factory. If they refuse to work in the given conditions, the consequences could mean being fired or abused by being withheld food, water, and breaks. No one will listen to concerns or complaints, which has caused workers to die in some circumstances.
Recently, H&M’s garment factory in India has been under scrutiny after the death of Jeyasre Kathiravel on January 5, 2021. Reports suggest her supervisor is responsible for her murder, supported by other claims of sexual harassment and misogyny by other employees. H&M has tried to resolve the situation with promises to improve treatment in factories, but nothing has changed thus far. The widespread gender-based violence still occurs every day, and more women become victims. Fast-fashion corporations, including H&M, won’t make any changes that decrease the profit of their company. As long as there is a demand for fast-fashion, the abuse of garment factory workers will continue.
Gender-based violence in the fast-fashion industry needs to stop, and the corporations partnering with the garment factories need to pay and respect the workers appropriately. The best way to end the ugliness behind the industry is to bring more awareness and attention to these issues, so the countries and companies involved feel pressured to enact change. Corporations will only commit to improvements if their reputation or profits are threatened. Women are working in deadly conditions while being severely underpaid just to produce cheap, low-quality clothing for consumers. Fast-fashion isn’t worth the industry ruining thousands of womens’ lives.