Unveiling the Hidden Cost: How Cheap Fashion Fuels Modern Slavery

Former Prime Minister Theresa May has urged shoppers to reconsider their fashion choices, highlighting a connection between fast fashion and modern slavery. In a recent discussion on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, she expressed her concern that modern slavery, deemed the greatest human rights issue of our time, is often overlooked in the political sphere, particularly as people look for affordable clothing amid economic pressures.

May emphasized the need for greater consumer awareness about the origins of fast fashion, stating, “How many of us actually ask where our clothes are made?” She noted that while some companies are making strides to monitor their supply chains for slave labor, many consumers remain oblivious to the ethical implications of their purchases. Her new role with the Global Commission on Modern Slavery Human has produced a report estimating that 50 million individuals are trapped in slavery worldwide, urging collaboration among governments, businesses, and civil society to eradicate the issue.

May’s critique extends to businesses like Shein, previously accused of utilizing forced labor, which is now attempting to enhance scrutiny in their supply chains following media scrutiny. She asserted that modern slavery has diminished in political priority due to competing issues like climate change and COVID-19, even as she pointed to her past efforts in tackling this challenge, including the passage of the Modern Slavery Act in 2015, which aimed to protect victims and convict offenders. The law’s effectiveness has been complicated by concerns over its exploitation by illegal migrants seeking to avoid deportation. May calls for renewed commitment to address these pressing human rights challenges.