Shoppers 'sceptical' over fashion ethics
Consumers are concerned about how clothes on the high street are made
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Friday, 17, Aug 2007 01:13
British shoppers are sceptical about claims made by fashion retailers regarding working conditions in factories that produce the garments they sell, new research has found.
Almost half (45 per cent) of people questioned in a survey on the issue said they did not believe that abuse of workers overseas did not take place in bringing clothes to UK high street stores.
The study, published by TNS Worldpanel Fashion, follows criticisms that retailers who provide low-cost clothes are buying stock from overseas factories who subject their workers to poor conditions.
Earlier this week a report claimed that foreign workers in Mauritius were being paid less than £4 a day to make clothes for Topshop's range designed by supermodel Kate Moss. Critics told the Sunday Times that working practices such as these amounted to "slave labour".
The biggest ethical concern consumers have about the manufacture of fashion garments is whether or not child labour was used in their production, the survey released today found.
A total of seven in ten respondents said they thought it was "very important" that no child labour or sweatshops were used to make the clothes.
The over-55s were most likely to be concerned about the ethics of clothes production. The survey of 7,000 people revealed that 34 per cent of those within the age group consider the country garments are made in before making a purchase.
Younger people were the least concerned about conditions for foreign workers who make clothes for the UK high street. Among the under-25s, six in ten respondents said they bought the clothes they wanted without caring how they were made.
Nonetheless, researchers said the study still indicated that British consumers were becoming more ethically aware.
"Over the past few years we have watched consumers flock to the cheapest outlets on the high street, but increasing awareness of the potential cost to humanity for these bargains is hitting home," said TNS Worldpanel Fashion executive Elaine Giles.