A few months ago, I promised to myself that I would try my hardest to not buy from any stores that used sweatshops. Sweatshops are clothing factories deemed dangerous, unsanitary, or unsafe. A working environment that is difficult with unacceptable conditions. For example, it may include hazardous materials or extremely dangerous tools. And often, the workers are treated very, very, VERY poorly and are paid barely anything. It's not really considered slavery because they are getting paid that miniscule amount, but it comes very close.
Here are a list of stores and companies that currently use sweatshops:
1. Hollister
2. Walmart
3. Abrecrombie and Fitch
4. Aeropostale
5. Forever21
6. Guess
7. Old Navy
8. The Disney Store
9. Nike
10. Adidas
11. Converse (Nike bought the converse company)
12. Gap
13. Banana Republic
14. Tommy H
Some alternatives are H&M, Charlotte Russe, Hot Topic, Wet Seal,just to name a few.
Some argue that many stores in the US use sweatshops that we don't even know about. And that there is no point to go sweatshop free because it would be impossible to know all the stores that use them. However, we can still do what we can, and that is what counts. I challenge all of you to stop shopping at 3 of those stores that use sweatshops so that you can do your part. Every store counts.
What are your thoughts on sweatshops?
Great post! Thanks for the list!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Jasmine! I applaud you for making the effort to avoid retailers involved in sweatshop labor. I am doing the same and I have stopped shopping at the places on the list you provided. To add to that though H&M has recently been in the news for being involved in sweatshop scandals. You can read about H&M and other companies involved at the link below. Unfortuantely many retailers that offer clothing at cheap prices in large bulks are usually using sweatshop labor. Such as Wet Seal and Charlotte Russe.
ReplyDeletehttp://news.change.org/stories/gap-inc-agrees-to-compensate-families-of-factory-fire-victims
You can find some great companies that provide sweatshop free labor at the links below
http://www.veganpeace.com/sweatshops/responsible_shopping.htm
http://www.greenamerica.org/programs/sweatshops/sweatfreeproducts.cfm
Yeah, I try not to use sweatshop too! I posted a similar one on my blog www.endslavery-gab.blogspot.com
ReplyDelete