Hannah Ernst

This article delves into the rights of fashion workers, what the Good Clothes, Fair Pay proposal looks like, and why such legislation is so crucial.

Unfortunately, a living wage is seen as a luxury for many garment workers. However, there is a campaign demanding living wage legislation in the fashion industry that could quickly drive change.

Currently, only 7% of all fashion brands globally pay their garment workers a living wage. There has yet to be a consensus on the definition of a living wage or an exact monetary amount. However, the United Nations describes a living wage as “a wage that enables workers and their families to meet their basic needs” in a standard work week of no more than 48 hours. That means it does not only entail the bare minimum to survive, but it should also include access to clean water, nutrition, housing, education, health care, transportation, clothing, and a small amount of savings – the basics of a decent human life.