(EMAILWIRE.COM, January 25, 2010 ) Emyvale, PEI. Fashion and Earth President, Adrian Desbarats, explains that "When it comes to the food we eat, more and more people have become conscious of its origins. We want to know where it was grown, if pesticides were used, and how it was produced. Sadly, when it comes to clothing, many people either turn a blind eye or are simply unaware of the journey their favourite outfit might have taken before it fell into their hands. Look at what you’re wearing right now. Are you wearing organic clothing? Do you know where your shoes were produced? Do you know what country your jeans were made in? And most importantly, do you have any idea of the conditions under which they were made?"

Unfortunately, organic and fair trade clothing is the exception – not the rule. According to Unicef, an estimated 158 million children between the ages of 5 and 14 are engaged in child labor, which translates roughly to 1 in 6 children in the entire world. While it’s not all clothing-related, these children typically work in harsh conditions, where they are often exposed to dangerous chemicals, dilapidated buildings, or hazardous machinery. Not a very good start to a young child’s life.

It’s not just children, either. It’s men and women, who are often underpaid for the work that they do on a daily basis, struggling simply to put food on the table. Efforts to unionize or to better working conditions are often met with abuse, or harassment, explains America’s Union Movement. The fear that production will be moved to another country is prevalent, stripping the local region of a major job provider. According to a special report by the BBC, many seamstresses are forced to retire in their early thirties due to failing eyesight. It is not uncommon for employees to work all night, rarely have a day off, and even faint from exhaustion. Workers are often paid by piece rates, so they struggle to work as quickly as possible – often at the cost of their own well being.

It’s a complex situation – for it is important to remember that most workers are happy for the employment, albeit the conditions are less than ideal. While the goal is never to take jobs away from these people – the jobs are much needed – in many cases, the unfairness is too severe to ignore.

The implications of a family pulled apart by sweat shop labor run deep. If children are working, they’re not being properly educated – which makes their future even dimmer. Parents are often forced to leave children unattended for days at a time, as they must live close to factories (or on-site). In effect, the wages and benefits provided by many textile mills are barely enough to keep a family alive. As a result, generation after generation is stuck on a subsistence treadmill, unable to get off – making just enough to survive but not enough to improve their lives.

Mr. Desbarats asks "What can you do? Knowledge is power. Don’t be afraid to ask about the working conditions that a garment was made under at your favorite retailer. Purchase organic clothing or eco-friendly made from sustainable resources following fair trade practices from companies like Fashion and Earth."

Look for the GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) label. This is without a doubt the most thorough and credible standard encompassing both environmental impact and social impact.

"And remember", he concluded, "you are what you wear. If we each make life choices and decisions based on the well-being of our fellow men, women, and children, we can make the world a better place: one garment at a time."

Adrian Desbarats, with a background as a biologist, has a passionate desire to balance the needs of the environment with the needs of humans. Visit http://www.fashionandearth.com to shop for stylish and eco-friendly clothing for women, and join a community of women who care.

Contact Information:
Fashion and Earth
Adrian Desbarats
Tel: 902-675-2217
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