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First of all, your actions as an engaged citizen help garment workers more than your purchasing choices. Unions in the CCC network are clear: the best way to support workers  is by speaking up. When you support a campaign, brands respond (because they fear losing potential customers). So if you want to make change, the most important thing you can do is  prioritise taking action in solidarity with workers.

  • You can support our campaigns and share them. 

  • You could also become an activist in a local organisation near you! 

  • You can also ask brands directly! You can do this online via their social media channels. You can use this card as inspiration:

    • How do you ensure decent working conditions in the factories where you produce clothing?

    • How do you support workers when they negotiate their working conditions?

    • Based on your manufacturing costs, how do you ensure the garment workers receive the wage they need to support themselves and their families?

    • When violations occur at the factory where you bought your clothes as a brand, do you consider yourself to be responsible for full remedy when violations happen and do you act accordingly?

If you do buy: be careful of empty promises… or downright lies.

Buzzwords like “organic”, “fair trade”, and “ethical” are widespread today. While these terms serve as bait for the socially conscious consumer (brands consciously target women with messages about sustainability and inclusion) their definitions and standards often vary from brand to brand. Greenwashing tactics are rampant in the fashion industry, and many brands make empty promises they never keep. 

Additionally, better practices like using organic cotton don’t exempt brands from paying workers a living wage. Labour rights cannot be swapped for the environment and vice versa. Transparency is essential: when consumers have access to data, brands can’t hide abuse. 

Here's where you can find information on specific brands and their labour practices.

What about thrifting? 

Instead of buying new, you can seek clothing from second-hand stores or organise swaps with friends. By selecting from these sources you help decrease the demand for fast fashion and potentially reduce pressure on workers. 

But while thrifting is more sustainable, and encouraged, it’s not enough to protect garment workers, in the short or the long term.

Factory jobs in the garment industry are a lifeline for many workers. Our goal is not to destroy the supply chain, but to transform it.


How to shop ethically