Why does a living wage matter?
Dressember Reading Day #26
Every day during the month of December, we’re answering common questions and breaking down different aspects of human trafficking on our blog and Instagram. Join us in raising awareness about the injustice of human trafficking by sharing, donating, or joining the Dressember campaign.
Let’s talk about human rights
In 1948, Eleanor Roosevelt helped create the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The UDHR was created to protect people’s fundamental rights, like food, shelter, safety, and love. After its creation, the UDHR was adopted and implemented by the United Nations.
The UDHR has 30 articles, each article pertaining to a different area of an individual’s freedoms. Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment. Everyone, without discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.”
The UDHR states that people have the right to receive decent payment for their work—the payment that is equal to the amount of time and effort put into making a product.
In addition, Article 4 states that “no one shall be held in slavery or servitude.” The UDHR states that all individuals have the right to liberty and freedom. It is a person’s right to be free and not live in slavery under the control of another human being.
Then why does human trafficking still exist today?
Even though this declaration has been adopted almost universally, it is not always carried out in practice by all people or all nations. For example, the garment industry is full of human rights violations—including forms of slavery and human trafficking. Garment workers often do not earn fair wages; they work long hours for limited pay. The majority of garment workers abroad make less than half of a living wage. According to Clean Clothes Campaign, garment workers in Bangladesh make less than 2 Euros ($2.21) per day.
It is important that we, as consumers, recognize when people are not granted fundamental human rights. When garment workers are not paid for their labor, they do not have the ability to support themselves or their children. In contrast, when a garment worker is paid a livable wage, that wage allows them to have an adequate standard of living. This allows workers to pay for housing, food, and clothing.
What does the lack of a living wage have to do with slavery?
Individuals are at a higher risk of trafficking when they are not given a fair and livable wage. When garment workers do not receive a decent wage at a local factory, they are often deceived by promises of better pay and a better life, only to fall into a life of slavery.
This is why it is so important to support artisans from ethical brands—like Dressember’s brand partners. The brands Dressember partners with work to support women who are at risk of being trafficked. When you buy a product, you are supporting an artisan and providing them with fair labor and fair wages. This provides the artisans the ability to support themselves and their children.
Further resources:
Universal Declaration of Human Rights - The United Nations
Living Wages - Clean Clothes Campaign
Low Pay in the Garment Industry Still a Reality Despite Pledges - The Guardian
Living Wage and How It Compares to the Minimum Wage - The Balance
Megan Robbins is a recent college graduate. She received her bachelors degree in social work and she hopes to utilize her skills to serve others. When she is not a social worker, Megan loves to be creative through dancing and painting.