High costs of cheap clothing

High costs of cheap clothing

Kansas City Star: Poorly paid Third-World workers are dying - literally - to produce low-cost clothing that’s sold at leading retailers around the United States and the world.

The latest tragedy to strike the low-wage garment industry in Bangladesh was also one of the most horrific in years. Almost 400 people were killed when an eight-story building collapsed.

Unfortunately, owners of many overseas garment factories are more interested in squeezing extra money out of their operations and less inclined to take worker protection seriously. So the profitable Western retailers that buy all of this low-cost clothing must more aggressively promote employee safety.

The companies should conduct more on-site visits to these factories. They ought to insist on higher levels of worker protection and wages for employees. Retailers should reject buying from factory owners who don’t meet stricter safety standards.

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