3. Introduction
When you pull on a sweater or a
shirt, you are tugging at a
thousand or possibly a million
threads and seams, all working
together to cover you. Different
colors from different places from
different ideals. But if you look
closely those same threads could
fray apart if not taken care of or
watched out for.
4. Thesis
Unless a broad understanding of global
manufacturing, from its economic,
political, legal, and cultural
environments, is thought of in a holistic
and human way, the troubled parts of the
condition, the child slavery, the
horrendous work conditions, and
rampant waste will slowly fray the
whole, like a falling thread off a tattered
sweater.
5. History - Pre-Industrial
- Majority of Garment Production is Local
- Only Global Market Was Specialty
Centered in India
Silk & Cotton Luxuries
- North American & European Production
Woolen Items Standard
- Global Trade Small & Barter Common
6. History - Industrial Revolution
- Mass Production Process Initiated
Raw Materials Shipped From Far Corners of
Globe (India, Africa, etc.) to England for
Finishing
- Regulations First Implemented
- Finished Products Consumed Locally and
Shipped Globally
7. History - Present Day
Past is Present
West pays the East to Grow and Finish Clothing
Past is Present
Designed to Further Enrich the West because the
Work is Given to the East because it is Cheaper
8. Economics - Overview
$125
$0
$250
$375
$500
Imports
Apparel
Personal Care
Jewelry
Exports
Footwear
Global Revenue (Millions)
70
53
35
18
Cambodia
El Salvador
0
Bangledesh
Sri Lanka
Mauratis
Lesoto
Dominican Republic Honduras
Clothing Exports as a Percentage Share of Economy's Total Merchandise Exports
9. Economics - Trends
- Outsourcing Anew
Domestic/Overseas Hybrids and Onsite
Quality Assurance & Design
- Consolidation of Companies
Manufacturers Restructuring to Cut Losses
- Working Conditions
Sweatshop Codes Getting Better But Labor
Abuse Hard to Police
- Semi-Automated Equipment
Hand Work Finally Being Replaced
10. Economics - Business Outlook
- Foreign Product Drives Economics
Cheaper Labor Means Big Business
- Large Retailers Dominant
Larger Portion of Retail Means Smaller
Manufacturers Out of Businesses
- Profit Margins Low
Brand Name Only Thing That Secures Higher
Profits
- Trade Regulation Has Effects
Quotas and Tariffs Play Large Role
12. Political/Legal - US Worker Standards
Bureau of Fire Prevention (City / State Level)
- Required fire alarms, hoses, stairwells, sprinklers
- Determined Maximum Occupancy
- Outlawed Smoking in Factories
- Conducts Building Inspection
- Passed Bills on worker injury, child labor,
break periods, etc.
13. Political/Legal - US Worker Standards
American Society of Safety Engineers (Country Level)
- Created months after Triangle Fire (1911)
- Oldest professional safety society
- Secretariat for American National Standards Institute
- Safety Requirements for Construction
- Health and Safety for Ventilation Systems
- Occupational Health and Safety Systems
14. Political/Legal - International Labor Organization
- Founded in 1919 as an UN agency
- Annual International Labour Conference
- Compiles labor statistics for over 200 countries
- Notable adopted conventions:
Right to Organize Convention – 1948
Equal Remuneration Convention (Equal Pay) – 1951
Minimum Age Convention – 1973
Labour Inspection Convention - 1947
Occupational Safety & Health Convention - 1981
15. Political/Legal - Spotlight: China
“Accident Prone” article – June 2013
- 120 deaths, 70 injured in workforce of 300
- Two of three exits locked to prevent excess breaks
- Management / President of China play the blame
game
- Protesters gather the next morning outside building
16. Political/Legal - Spotlight: China
“Accident Prone” article – June 2013
- 120 deaths, 70 injured in workforce of 300
- Two of three exits locked to prevent excess breaks
- Management / President of China play the blame
game
- Protesters gather the next morning outside building
“End of Cheap Labor” article – June 2013
- Fast Rising wages, worker activism, labor shortages
- Growth in working age population sharply declining
19. Ethics - Commerce
- Jobs vs. Slavery, Economy vs.
Squalor
Sweat Shops Still Making Your Clothes
- Tangled Web of Garments
Garment Manufacturing Large Part of Country
Economies
- Clothing Choices
Fast Fashion Makes Fast Waste
20. Ethics - Commonality
- Fair Trade on the Rise
Paying Higher Price for Higher Values
- Labor Practices Becoming
Paramount
Garment Manufacturing Large Part of Country
Economies
- Positive Threads
Higher Standards could Mean Better Treatment
21. Ethics - Culture
- Cultural Trimmings
Using Ethnicities to Drive Fashion
- Consumption Culture
Garment Manufacturing Large Part of Country
Economies
- Clash of Civilizations
Manufacturing Fills World with Westernized
Fashion
26. Conclusion
- History Tells Us of Markets and Exchange:
How Different is It?
- Garment Manufacturing Has to Make Cents But
Make Sense
- We Must Look to Make Garment Manufacturing
Safe, Honest, and Fair for Everyone Involved
- Ethical Conduct Must Be Explored Holistically,
from Different Countries to Different Ideals
Mending the Frays Together
27. References
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28. References
Hickman, L. (2004, May 24). Do try this at home where to buy ethical clothing. The Guardian. Retrieved from http://
www.theguardian.com/money/2004/oct/07/ethicalmoney.consumerpages
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29. References
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