Ethics in labour: hidden human rights in the fast fashion industry

Abstract

Over the last twenty years, the fashion business has significantly evolved due to rapid technological, economic, and social changes. The ever-increasing requirements of apparel companies to survive the competition forced them to demand low-cost production and speed to market. This concept, called Fast Fashion, constitutes the critical strategy to ensure companies a profitable position, but at the same time leads to significant environmental and social consequences. Fast-fashion is a high-risk industry for almost all human rights. This thesis examines the social problems caused by fast-fashion from a human rights perspective. More particularly, it presents the fashion world’s invisible side by exhibiting the root causes of this new business reality. The main conclusion is that despite the enactment of international regulations, the abuses of workers’ rights in the developing world remain rampant. On this basis, it is argued that tackling the problem is a shared responsibility of many actors, including consumers. Hence, it is recommended that joint efforts can lead to ethical business practices.