By: Ruby Erfourth, Alex Quiton & Alexis Wood

Overview of Child Labor in the Fashion Supply Chain

What is the Problem?

The problem is child labor in the fashion industry. Child labor is a large problem around the world, that uses children as young as 7 or 8 to be cheap laborers. There are 100 million child laborers associated with fast fashion that are being stripped of their basic human rights. The fashion supply chain relies heavily on child labor, with around 100 million used, to support their low prices and abundance of clothing. The rise of fast fashion in the world has caused an increase of using child labor. In the garment factor alone, the use of child labor propels that industry with more than 100 million children used globally (Peries & Kip, UNICEF).

For more information please see The Problem page.

Immediate Causes

There are many issues in the fashion supply chain that lead to child labor. Many of these issues are causing children to be immediately thrown into the fast fashion chain.

Underlying Causes

Causes

Child labor persists due to poverty, cultural norms, and limited access to education. Families rely on children's income for survival, and cultural beliefs often prioritize work over schooling. Economic constraints and perceptions of inadequate education keep children out of school, keeping the cycle going.

For more information please see the Causes page.

Remedies to Child Labor in the Fashion Industry

Education

To combat the problem of a high demand for fast fashion, people need to become educated on the effects of it. People need to learn what the cost is to have cheap clothing at the expense of children.

Economic Resolution

To resolve fair wages and economic issues, efforts are needed to help rural families earn fair wages, ensure children aren't working, promote formal jobs, and support small businesses without relying on child labor.

For more in depth information, please see the Remedies Page.

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