Victoria's (Dirty) Secret

Everyone has probably heard the motto, Think Globally, Act Locally. But how does one think globally while acting locally? One way is by making responsible consumer choices. Every purchase has an impact. When you make a purchase you are choosing to support either a locally-owned business or a multinational corporation. You are choosing to support either a company that promotes human rights by using ethical labor or a company that relies on cheap - often child - labor and uses inhumane conditions such as sweatshops to manufacture goods as cheaply as possible.

Sweatshop labor is pervasive, especially in clothing chains. This reality is a huge deterrent in sustainable living. Personally, it was one of the last things I considered as I thought of ways to make my lifestyle more sustainable. When you need/want something it is a huge hassle to first sit down and research the ethical violations of the company you are considering supporting... especially if the purchase you are about to make is a sale item or an impulse my. I'll admit that a lot of the clothes in my closet were not produced ethically.

Last week I was using a Victoria's Secret gift card and wishfully hoping that just maybe Victoria's secret is that she uses organic, fair trade cotton and her products are made in Ohio, where her company's headquarters are located.

Then I saw this tag:

A glimmer of hope! Made with love, just for me!

But the cynic in my prompted me to look a little deeper. The tag on the inside of the garment revealed:


Made in China? Hmm.

So I went home and with a quick Google search determined that in the future I am going to have to look elsewhere for adorable and comfortable underwear. Shame on you, Victoria, and your dirty little secret.

The National Labor Committee’s report titled, “Sewing Victoria’s Secret: Garments in a Hidden Sweatshop,” outlines the human rights violations committed by the Mina Garments Factory, which supplies goods for Victoria’s Secret. The lack of respect for workers’ basic human rights included the following:

Human trafficking and involuntary servitude of guest workers

Confiscation of workers’ passports and denial of legally required identification cards

Routine work shifts of 14.5 to 15.5 hours, with 40 percent of guest workers kept on 19 hour all-night shifts

No sick days, paid vacations, or government holidays allowed

Wages at 8 percent below the legal minimum

Workers denied the legal 25 or 50 percent premium compensation for overtime hours

Sporadic pay

Inadequate and unsanitary working conditions

Workers subject to pay reductions, humiliation, violence, and threats if production goals not met

Forced deportation for any worker who spoke out about factory conditions

[Source: National Labor Committee] and Green America: Responsible Shopper]

The unfortunate reality is that most mass produced clothes are made overseas in low-income countries, and most often under inhumane conditions. It's hard to avoid. Some companies, such as Urban Outfitters, are starting to carry some eco-friendly and responsible items. All American Apparel clothes are made in the United States (though I have other issues with American Apparel - I'll save that for another post). My solution: by used whenever possible. And buy quality items that will outlasts trends so that you aren't replacing your wardrobe every six months.