We all need these jobs, but we want them with dignity. But dignity does not come until we have a living wage. Kalpona Akter, Labour Union Activist
According to Labour Behind the Label, a living wage is a wage that is sufficient to afford a decent standard of living for a worker and their family.
It should be earned in a standard work-week of no more than 48 hours, and must include enough to pay for food, water, housing, education, health care, transportation, clothing and some discretionary earnings, including savings for unexpected events.
Minimum wage levels in the largest garment producing countries come nowhere near to providing a decent standard of living.
Watch the documentary below to gain more insight into the plight of workers fighting a living wage.
And while the cost of living across the globe continues to rise, fast fashion continues to get cheaper. These “savings” in the cost of producing fashion ultimately comes from exploiting vulnerable workers.
Poverty wages in the garment industry is not limited to Asia and Africa, it is a problem all over the world. In July 2020, a Sunday Times exposé revealed that workers producing clothes in Leicester for fast fashion brand Boohoo were being paid a shocking £3.50 per hour, far below the minimum wage of £8.72 for those aged 25 and over.
During the COVID pandemic workers were even denied their legal wages, as brands cancelled or delayed payments on their orders.
Take Action
A proposal for new EU legislation on a living wage
Read and share the report
https://thecircle.ngo/living-wage/
Pay Up Petition
Sign the petition to hold brands accountable and build a fair future for garment workers