Labour rights violations

According to the International Labour Organization, some 260 million children work worldwide. Of these, an estimated 170 million are involved in fashion work, defined by the UN as “work for which a child is either too young – work performed below the required minimum age – or work that, because of its harmful nature or conditions, is totally unacceptable to children and is prohibited”.

These children are employed to work in the production of textiles and clothing to meet the needs of consumers in Europe, the United States and beyond.

The situation is improving. According to the International Labour Organization, the use of child labour fell by 30% between 2000 and 2012, but still 11% of children worldwide are in a situation where they are denied the right to attend school.

Many of these working children work within the fashion supply chain, producing textiles and clothing to meet the needs of consumers in Europe, the United States and beyond.

Fast fashion has led to race, forcing companies to seek ever-cheaper sources of labour, and children are seen as obedient workers who slip under the radar, making them easier to manage[1].

[1] The guardian “Child labour in the fashion supply chain” https://labs.theguardian.com/unicef-child-labour/