In Megan Barnabe’s Blog, I would like to add that it is not only the retailer who should be accountable it should also be the consumer. As consumers we demand that retailers offer us the lowest price possible. So what do the retailers do in response, they look for the cheapest possible place in the world where wages are the lowest. Usually the lowest wages entail that the working conditionsare also extremely poor.

Retailers are constantly looking to cut costs and if they can find a cheaper place then will move. What needs to be done in addition to retailers signing agreements with their manufacturer is retailers need to market to consumers that they are producing clothing that is made in the third world that meets an ethical standard. Consumers then need to buy into the ethical standard and be prepared to pay a little more for their clothing. A number of retailers have done this with coffee beans and have found that customers are willing to pay a little more for ethically grown coffee beans. Until consumers are willing to pay more for ethically produced products unfortunately these working conditions will not improve.

Picture Source: Plastics Today