Index

1. Introduction: March 8 and Women in the Textile Industry
2. A female-dominated industry, but at what cost?
3. Starvation wages: how much does a garment worker earn?
4. Grueling hours and inhumane conditions
5. Denied rights and union struggles
6. The Role of Brands and Consumer Responsibility
7. What can we do to improve the situation?
8. Conclusion: Is a fairer future possible?

1. Introduction: March 8 and Women in the Textile Industry

March 8 is a symbolic day, a celebration of women's social, political and economic achievements. But it is also a moment of reflection on how much still needs to be done. If we think about the textile sector, we find millions of women who sew our clothes every day in exploitative conditions, with very low wages and few rights. This article aims to tell their stories and shed light on a reality that often remains in the shadows.

2. A female-dominated industry, but at what cost?

The textile industry is one of the most feminized production sectors in the world. It is estimated that 80% of the workforce in garment factories is made up of women, particularly in Asian countries such as Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia. These women, often very young, are employed for long shifts with minimal wages and without adequate protections.

Despite being the backbone of a multi-billion dollar industry, their work is undervalued and underpaid. The promise of economic opportunity turns into a cycle of exploitation that is difficult to escape.

3. Starvation wages: how much does a garment worker earn?

Let’s talk numbers. According to the Clean Clothes Campaign, a garment worker in Bangladesh earns an average of about $80 a month. In Cambodia, the minimum wage in the sector is about $200 a month. But these wages are often well below the living wage, or the amount needed to live decently, which estimates suggest should be at least double that.

The problem is not limited to Asian countries. Even in European countries where the textile industry still has a weight, such as Romania or Bulgaria, wages remain very low, with many workers paid less than the legal minimum wage.

4. Grueling hours and inhumane conditions

Many garment workers work 10 to 14 hours a day, six days a week. During peak production periods, such as the run-up to Christmas or the launch of new collections, they may be forced to work unpaid overtime, without adequate breaks.

Hygienic and sanitary conditions often leave much to be desired: overcrowded factories, high temperatures, lack of access to drinking water. In addition, many of them suffer psychological pressure or even harassment from their superiors.

5. Denied rights and union struggles

The ability to join a union and defend one’s rights is often denied. Many workers who try to organize are fired or threatened. In some countries, such as Myanmar, protests for fairer wages have been violently repressed.

Yet despite the risks, there are examples of resistance. In Bangladesh, for example, some women's movements are fighting for decent wages and better working conditions, sometimes managing to obtain small improvements.

6. The role of brands and consumer responsibility

Big fashion companies play a key role in this situation. Many brands source from factories that do not respect workers' rights, turning a blind eye in order to keep production costs low.

But we consumers also have a responsibility. Choosing to buy from ethical brands, finding out about the origin of the garments and supporting companies that respect workers' rights can make a difference. Change also starts with daily choices.

7. What can we do to improve the situation?

• Get informed: Knowing the reality of textile workers is the first step to change things.
• Support ethical brands: Favor brands that produce fairly and sustainably.
• Participate in awareness campaigns: Sign petitions, spread information and support initiatives of organizations that fight for workers' rights.
• Demand transparency from brands: Demand that companies make their supply chains public.

8. Conclusion: Is a fairer future possible?

The conditions of women workers in the garment sector remain critical, but we cannot give up. Awareness is growing and more and more people are demanding a fairer fashion industry. March 8th is a perfect opportunity to reflect on those who sew our clothes and how we can help improve their lives. Every small gesture counts, and together we can make a difference.