Week 4: Reforming Clothing Corporations

Jacqueline Yee

ASA 141
Week 4

“Santa’s Sweatshop” by Holstein discusses big corporate brands that society depends on for clothing and entertainment/livelihood, like Disney and Mattel, have their production chains so spread out, it is difficult to pinpoint where or who produced the final product we see on the shelves. It is impossible to calculate its cost of production as well. Our consumption based society has created so much demand for cheap labor that it seems like a never-ending cycle to make more product, faster and cheaper.

Holstein’s article divides between corporations that are willing to change, and those who continue to argue their working conditions are safe and they are not liable. For example, Reebok and Levi’s made some changes, Levi’s promised to refuse business in countries will poor human rights records and on Levi’s website, they have listed the initiatives they are taking into consideration in order to be more sustainable. They have their “worker well-being initiative”, “better cotton initiative” and “responsible down standards” (Levi’s). While these are small changes that can have an impact, it is moving their company and hopefully the industry in a better direction.

https://www.levi.com/US/en_US/features/sustainability 

(picture from Levi's website. In the section, they detail their worker well-being initiative.)

In contrast, companies like Guess, argue that they cannot control their contractors and their records. These actions speak volumes and it is important for the everyday consumer to be knowledgeable on this information to be more aware of the entire production impact. It made me reflect on the number of products I have purchased under these brands and how much I did not know about the whole production process. As a consumer I will strive to be a more responsible consumer with the knowledge I’ve been given.

It seems like these companies only made changes after the information was released to the public. How long would it have taken them if this news was not revealed to the public? Would they have made these changes on their own? I think this also shows how much power we hold as consumers. That if there is a collective refuse to purchase, some companies have to make changes. But there is a lot more that needs to be reformed within these corporations to make them more accountable and sustainable.