The Unseen Cost of Fast Fashion: 40 Million People Living in Modern Slavery

The fashion industry is the second biggest contributor to modern slavery, with an estimated 40 million people living in its chains. Fast fashion has become increasingly popular due to its low cost and high availability, but it comes at a steep price for many people around the world. Fast fashion relies on cheap labor from countries with lax regulations, leading to exploitation of workers who are often paid far below minimum wage and work in dangerous conditions. Many are subject to physical and psychological abuse as well as sexual harassment, all while being denied basic human rights like access to healthcare or education. It’s estimated that more than 80% of garment workers are women, making them particularly vulnerable to exploitation. In response to this crisis, there have been a number of initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the hidden costs of fast fashion and encouraging consumers to make more sustainable choices when shopping for clothing. One such initiative is #InvestInOurPlanet which encourages shoppers to think twice before buying something new and instead opt for second-hand items or sustainable brands that prioritize ethical production methods. There have also been efforts made by governments around the world to crack down on companies that exploit their workers. In 2019, the United Kingdom passed a law requiring companies with over 250 employees to publish information about their efforts towards preventing modern slavery in their supply chains. This law was seen as a major step forward in combating unethical practices within the fashion industry and other industries where modern slavery is prevalent. Despite these positive steps forward, much work still needs to be done if we want to see real change in how people are treated within the global garment industry. We need more laws like those passed by the UK government that hold companies accountable for their actions and ensure they’re taking steps towards protecting their workers from exploitation. We also need greater consumer awareness so people can make informed decisions when it comes time for them shop for clothes or other goods produced by potentially unethical sources. At InvestInOurPlanet we believe everyone deserves fair wages and safe working conditions no matter where they live or what job they do – including those employed by the global garment industry – so we’ve launched our own petition calling on governments around the world take action against fast fashion and end modern slavery once and for all! Sign our petition here: https://t.co/G4FoBJHL8W #InvestInOurPlanet #OneMonthToED https://t.co/u42PlXWKRG